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73  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER.  NY    MSBO 

(716)  873-4S03 


i 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHIVI/ICIVIH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notaa/Notat  tachnlquaa  at  bibliographiquaa 


Tha  Inatituta  haa  attamptad  to  obtain  the  boat 
original  copy  avaiiabia  for  filming.  Faaturaa  of  thia 
copy  which  may  ba  bibliographicaliy  uniqua, 
which  may  altar  any  of  tha  imagas  in  tha 
raproduction,  or  which  may  aignificantly  changa 
tha  uaual  mathod  of  filming,  ara  chackad  balow. 


H 


D 


D 


□ 
□ 


D 


D 


Coiourad  covara/ 
Couvartura  da  coulaur 


I     I    Covara  damagad/ 


Couvartura  andommagAa 

Covara  raatorad  and/or  laminated/ 
Couvarture  reataurte  at/ou  pelliculia 


I      I    Cover  title  misaing/ 


Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 


I     I   Coloured  mapa/ 


Cartea  giographiquea  en  couleur 

Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 


r~~|    Coloured  plataa  and/or  iiluatrationa/ 


Planchea  at/ou  iiluatrationa  en  couleur 

Bound  with  other  meteriel/ 
Relii  avac  d'autrea  documanta 

Tight  binding  may  cauae  ahadowa  or  diatortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

La  raliura  aarrie  paut  cauaar  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
diatortion  le  long  de  la  marge  intirieure 

Blank  laavaa  added  during  reatoration  may 
appear  within  the  te.xt.  Whenever  poaaibla.  theae 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  ae  peut  que  certainaa  pagea  blanchea  aJoutAea 
lora  d'une  reatauration  apparaiaaant  dana  le  taxte. 
maia,  loraquo  cela  Atait  poaaibla,  cas  pagea  n'ont 
pea  «t«  film«ea. 

Additional  commanta:/ 
Commentairea  aupplAmantairaa: 


L'Inatitut  a  microfilm*  le  meilleur  exemplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  it^  poaaibla  de  ae  procurer.  Lea  d^taila 
de  cet  exemplaire  qui  aont  paut-Atre  uniquea  du 
point  de  vue  bibllographiqua,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reprodulte,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dana  la  mAthode  normale  de  fiimage 
aont  indiquAa  ci-daaaoua. 


I     I   Coiourad  pagea/ 


D 


Pagea  de  couleur 

Pagea  damaged/ 
Pagea  endommagAea 

Pagea  reatored  and/oi 

Pagea  reataurAea  at/ou  pellicul6ea 

Pagea  diacolourad,  atained  or  foxei 
Pagea  dicoloriea,  tachattea  ou  piquAea 

Pagea  detached/ 
Pagea  dAtachdea 

Showthroughy 
Tranaparence 

Quality  of  prir 

Quality  in6gala  de  I'impreaaion 

includes  aupplamentary  materii 
Comprend  du  *nat4riel  suppKmentaire 

Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Mition  diaponibia 


r~|  Pagea  damaged/ 

I — I  Pagea  reatored  and/or  laminated/ 

ryi  Pagea  discoloured,  atained  or  foxed/ 

nn  Pagea  detached/ 

I      I  Showthrough/ 

I      I  Quality  of  print  variea/ 

I      I  includes  aupplamentary  material/ 

I — I  Only  edition  available/ 


Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissuea,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
enaura  the  beat  poaaibla  image/ 
Lea  pagea  totalament  ou  partiallemant 
obacurciaa  par  un  feuillet  d'errata.  une  pelure, 
etc.,  on\  Ati  filmAes  A  nouveau  de  fa^on  A 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


This  item  is  filmed  at  tha  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  eat  film*  au  taux  da  reduction  indiqu*  ci-dassous. 

10X  14X  18X  22X 


26X 


30X 


y 

12X 


lex 


20X 


24X 


28X 


32X 


Th«  copy  film«d  her*  has  ba«n  raproducad  thanks 
to  tha  ganarosity  of: 

Library  Division 

Provincial  Archives  of  Br  tish  Columbia 


L'axamplaira  filmA  fut  raproduit  grica  A  la 
gAnArosIt*  da: 

Library  Division 

Provincial  Archives  of  British  Columbia 


Tha  imagas  appaaring  hara  ara  tha  bast  quality 
posslbia  consldaring  tha  condition  and  laglblllty 
of  tha  original  copy  and  in  kaaping  with  tha 
filming  contract  spacifications. 


Original  copias  in  printad  papav  covers  ara  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
other  original  copies  ara  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  — ^  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 

Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc..  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  tha 
method: 


Lea  imagas  suivantaa  ont  *t4  reproduites  avac  la 
plus  grand  soin,  compta  tenu  de  la  condition  at 
da  la  nettetA  de  rexemplaire  filmA,  et  en 
conformity  avac  las  conditions  du  contrat  da 
filmage. 

Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couvarture  an 
papier  est  imprimie  sont  filmAs  en  commenpant 
par  la  premier  plat  at  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
darniire  page  qui  comporta  una  ampreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  la  second 
plat,  salon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autras  axampleires 
originaux  sont  film4s  an  commen^ant  par  la 
premiere  page  qui  comporte  une  empieinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  darniire  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaitra  sur  la 
derniAre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbole  -^  signifie  "A  SUIVRE",  le 
symbols  V  signifie  "FIN". 

Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  Atre 
fiim^s  A  des  taux  de  reduction  diff6rents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  Atre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  clichA,  il  est  filmA  A  pertir 
de  Tangle  supArieur  gauche,  de  gauche  A  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  nAcessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  methods. 


1 

2 

3 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

■V"; 


^'>  l-,  [    -  >^'' 


'^i,  '    "  S4  ^  ^'f  -"■•'%  J 


11 1  S  T  O  R  Y 


OF  TIIK 


^ttkm^nt  0|f  (^x^pn 


ASn   Till. 


INTERIOR  or  UrPER  CALIFORNIA ; 


a:id  UK 


Persecutions  tiud  Afflictions  of  Forty  lears'  Continuance, 

KNUIIIEI*   BY  TIIK   Al'THOK, 

HALL  J.  KELLEY,  A.  M. 


SPRINGFIELD,   MASS : 

UNION     r  II  I  N  T  I  N  O     C  O  M  r  .;       Y 

1868. 


^ 


PREFACE 


Tins  book  irt  till  appeal  to  the  justice  and  humanitj  ot'  the 
Christian  public  for  help  tu  })ut  an  end  to  persecutions  endured  for 
more  than  forty  years,  as  terrible  us  were  ever  known ;  and  to 
bring  back  to  my  bleeding  bosom  my  beloved  household,  which, 
more  than  iittcen  years  ago,  were  torn  from  it  and  carried  fur 
away  from  me,  by  the  merciless  hands  of  bloody  men :  and  to 
bring  back  kindred  and  friends,  long  ago  turned  from  and  against 
me. 

It  has  in  view  otiier  objects  : — to  verify  and  illustrate  the  state- 
ments of  the  Petition  now  before  Congress  ;  to  correct  the  belied 
histories  of  the  American  and  Britisli  domains  beyond  the  Rocky 
Mountains — countries  which,  until  aUer  the  public  announcement 
of  my  Oregon  Enterprise,  Avcre  marked  on  maps  nnknmvn ;  and 
to  remove  unreasonable  prejudices,  and  the  false  perceptions 
which  friends  everywhere  have  of  me,  and  the  obstacles  which 
enemies  in  all  places  have  thrown  in  the  pathwoy  of  my  useful- 
ness. Its  dictation  was  commenced  more  than  two  years  ago ; 
but  \  ('xations  and  troubles  on  <^very  side,  and  of  every  kind,  by 
those  that  hate  me,  to  prevent  the  publication  of  the  book  and 
action  on  the  petition  ;  the  inattention  and  carelessness  of  some  of 
my  youthful  amanuenses,  and  to  the  vile  pen  of  one  of  riper 
years — the  first  who  Avroto  after  the  loss  of  my  eyesight — are 
some  of  the  causes  of  its  delay.  The  difficulties  I  experience  in 
its  dictation  are  another  cause. 

On  the  15th  page  of  the  book  is  described,  in  part,  the  nature 
of  my  dire  calamity,  and  how  difficult  it  has  been,  for  the  last 
thirty  years,  to  converse  or  to  perform  with  the  pen.  The  last 
two  years,  adversaries,  at  and  about  the  place  of  my  abode,  have 
very  much  troubled  me.  The  troops  at  this  place  have  come  daily 
to  vex  and  to  torture,  hoping  speedily  to  make  an  eni^  of  me ; 
guerrillas,  headed   by   one  of  ujy   bitterest    enemies — at  times, 


POv^Q 


!*• 


Pocif ic  N.  W.  History  Oept 

PROVINCIAL  LIBRARY 
VICTORIA,  B.  C. 


mrmr 


IV 


IMIKFAC^K. 


U 


i 


^:S 


another  with  him — both  wore,  a»  it  repir«l»'«l  their  coiuhiet  toward 
inc,  much  like  despots  and  <h«inon8.  Within  the  hi»t  thirty  years, 
until  the  two  last,  since  l)e<»inning  to  write  histories  of  countries 
explored  by  me,  and  to  prepare  accounts  of  my  scientific  re- 
searches in  the  far  west,  and  <»f  n>y  «'fl"orts  to  propairate  Chris- 
tianity about  the  shores  of  the  I'acific,*  and  of  the  ivar  of  per- 
secutions so  lonpr  a<(o  wa^retl  against  nu*,  they  have  o  ten  conui  to 
plunder  my  property — have  plundered,  and  carried  <  ff,  the  value 
of  several  thousand  dollars ;  and  to  devastate  my  estate  ;  and 
Imvc  so  done ;  and  have  desolated  tlie  village  of  Tluee  Itivers,  s«) 
that  it  now  is,  and  has  been  for  several  years,  a  Icsolation,  "  a 
heap."  They  at  times  break  into  my  house,  and  'ake  away  doo 
uments  and  manuscripts  and  papers  of  great  valMc  to  me,  such 
as  furnish  the  best  material  for  the  book  ;  perhaps,  within  this 
(>eriod,  what  of  the  last  Avonld  nuike  a  4to.  volume  of  a  thousantl 
pages.  These  are  vexatious  ;  they  confuse  the  head  and  unfit  for 
dictation. 

This  Preface  is  in  part  to  explain  concerning  inadvertent  ex- 
pressions, digressions,  ciu'tailcd  statements,  sayings,  and  the 
abridgment  of  the  book,  and  errors  of  composition  with  which  it 
abounds.  It  is  but  seldom  that  I  can  find  a  person  able  and 
ready  to  write  ;  at  times  the  amanuensis  is  turned  from  me.  For 
weeks,  or  months  no  one  can  be  foimd  to  serve  me ;  and  I  am 
left  without  help  ''ortions  of  the  manuscript  prepared  for  th<i 
press,  and  supposed  to  have  been  sent  to  it,  are  wanting  in  the 
ttook.  This  mistake  is  owing  in  part,  I  tiiink,  to  the  iimttentiou 
of  s«>me  of  the  young  and  inexperienced  anumueiises.  These  things 
have  caused  dtlitij,  and  they  are  stnnig  indications  of  a  terrible  jjcrse- 
cution.  At  times,  sitting  down  to  write,  my  thoughts  are  so  dis- 
turlM'd  by  some  mockery  or  abuse,  just  at  the  time,  as  to  induce  a 
dismission  of  the  subject ;  an<l  a  reference  to  the  Appendix.  On 
page  124,  mention  is  made  of  having  had  visions,  but  owing  to 
mental  excitement  or  nervous  irritation  at  the  time,  I  was  unable 
to  explain  about  them,  but  will,  in  the  Appendix,  tell  all  about 
them. 


•  In  the  year  1840,  the  author  iDsuod  a  proxpt'ctuii  of  a  book,  in  near  readlnoM  for  the 
preM,  entUled,  "Travels  and  Voyages  through  many  uf  the  Indian  and  Unexplored 
Countries  of  North  America;  and  over  the  Atlantic  and  I'acific  Oceann,  made  in  the 
years  1832,  '83.  '34  and  •an." 


I'KKFACE. 


[•oiuliu't  towartl 
ist  thirty  ycftrs, 
ioH  of  cotintries 
iv  Hcit'iititic  iT- 
•opajtute  Chris- 
llie   ivnr  of  pcr- 
e  o  ten  come  to 
•a  <  If,  the  vahH' 
my  estate ;  an«l 
'hi  i>e  llivcrs,  «o 
ft  leHolation,  "  B 
'akc  away  tlocv 
Itic  to  mo,  such 
laps,  within  this 
lie  of  ft  tltousautl 
mi\  and  unfit  for 

inadvertent  cx- 
lyinga.  and  the 
m  with  which  it 
person  able  an«i 
I  from  me.  For 
L',  me  ;  and  I  am 
prepared  for  tlio 
•,  wanting  in  the 

0  tiie  inattentioji 
les.  These  things 
if  n  terrihU;  perse- 
njjlits  are  so  dis- 
le,  as  to  induce  a 

1  Appendix.  On 
iiH,  but  owing  to 
ne,  I  was  unable 
ix,  tell  all  about 


1  near  readlnww  for  the 
ndian  and  Unexplored 
Ic  Ocean  K,  made  In  the 


In  order  to  be  fully  understood,  I  should  have  spoken  of  unmis- 
lukable  signs  whi(*h  immediately  followed.  Dcing  in  haste  to  get 
the  book  in  print  and  before  Congresf<,  the  subject  was  passed 
over.  So  it  was  with  nie  when  speaking  of  Bonaparte's  wars.  In 
order  that  my  meaniwg  should  be  fully  understood,  something 
more  should  have  been  said  concerning  the  defeats  of  the  man  of 
sin,  and  of  the  triumphs  of  Christ.  Though  He  is  the  Prince  of 
Peace,  and  the  Princt;  of  the  Kings  of  the  earth,  yet  js  He  ''  a  man 
of  war,"  triumphant  in  every  conflict ;  victorious  in  every  battle  ; 
who  ''  leadeth  captivity  captive,  and  maketh  the  wrath  of  man  to 
praise  him  :"  and  so  also  on  p.  ,  in  speaking  of  merciful  inter- 
positions of  Divine  Pn»vidence,  such  im  deliverance  from  the  jaws 
of  wild  beasts,  stings  of  scorpions  and  fangs  of  serjjents ;  being 
in  haste  to  reach  the  end  of  tho  book,  particulars  were  omitted  to 
be  given. 

When  the  nefarious  plans  and  plottings  and  murderous  purpose 
of  the  conspiracy  at  Three  Rivers — one  as  diabfdical  as  was  ever 
known  in  Christendom — conspiracy,  I  say,  diabolical,  with  em- 
phasis I  repeat,  have  been  described,  and  the  public  understand 
about  them,  then  Avill  persecutions  cease,  and  the  deep-rooted 
prejudices  on  the  minds  of  men  will  be  removed,  public  confidence 
in  my  statements  and  character  be  restored,  my  household  and  my 
kindred,  so  long  gone  from  me,  will  return,  and  all,  I  trust,  ivill 
treat  me  with  respect  and  visit  me  in  my  "  afflictions."  In  telling 
about  the  conspiracy,  it  is  not  my  intention  to  designate  persons, 
unless  hanl  provoked  to  it,  nor  specify  as  to  conduct,  cruel  as  it 
has  been,  further  than  it  shall  be  duty  in  the  vindication  of  myself 
ami  for  tin*  glory  of  (iod.  T(»  confuse  my  head  and  delay  my 
writings,  I  am  everywhere  represented  as  stupid,  an  idler,  and 
prodigal  «)f  my  means  of  living.  But  I  am  certain  that  neither 
my  <ircat  calamitij,  nor  the  jiersecutions  and  afflictions  I  am  made 
to  endure,  have  in  the  slightest  degree  impaired  my  understand- 
ing ;  it  was  never  belter  than  at  the  present  day.  And  diligent 
search  «»f  the  Scriptures,  the  last  thirty  years,  to  know  God,  and 
to  know  Christ,  "  the  way,  the  truth,  and  the  life,"  has  much 
eidarged  my  compreluMision  of  things  human  and  divine.  I  am 
certain  also,  that  industry,  frugality,  temperance,  benevolence, 
intense  purpose,  brotherly  kindness  and  charity  have  all  along 
marked  my  career.  I  do  not  thus  speak  of  myself  to  glorify 
self;  but  to  glorify  Ilim  Avhose  servant  I  am. 


C  0  N  T  E  N  r  S . 


I'KTITI   )\. 

1 — Source*  of  infornuitioii.  t'oiiiitry  unknown.  The  planling 
of  the  vine  of  Clivistinnity.     Gcogropliicnl  sketch  of  Orogon. 

2 — Kffort  to  enlighten  the  country.  Expedition  plnnacd.  The 
enterprise  powerfully  opposed.    An  cxpeditiou  by  sea  planned. 

3 — A  temporary  coinmonweulth  planned.  Thu  petitioner  passed 
the  winters  1830,  '31  and  '32,  «t  Washington.  INiblic  and 
private  men,  nt  Washington,  encourage  and  patronize  the  en- 

4 — tirprinc.  ColonizcUion — not  mere  exploration.  Commendatory 
letters.  Treachery  of  some  of  the  parly  at  New  Orleans.  Sea 
voyage ;  incredible  hardships  and  sufferings.  At  Vera  Cruz 
property  plundered  by  revenue  officers  ;  detention  ;  change  of 
route.  Internal  improvement  suggested.  Education  of  youth 
in  Mexico.  Arrangements  made  for  becoming  an  empresarias 
in   ('ttlifornia.     fJeology.     Correspondence  with  the   political 

r> — (yovernor  of  the  Californias.  Exploration  of  the  Sacramento 
valley ;  map  of  that  valley  and  of  a  portion  of  Oregon  exe- 
cuted. The  petitioner  permnded  a  party  of  American  hunters 
/(.  seUlo  in  Orrtjon.  Commencement  of  the  first  colonizing  set- 
tlement ;  arrival  at  Vancouver  on  the  Columbia :  calumny 
and  slander.  Tlie  petitioner's  party  turned  against  him  ;  his 
life  threatened ;  terrible  suf^ltrings ;  much  valuable  informa- 
tion collected.     Passage  in  tiie  brig  Dryade  to  the  Sandwich 

6 — Islands ;  a  brutal  seu  captain.  Exploration  of  some  of  the 
Islands.  The  H.  B.  Co.'s  hostilities  against  petitioner. 
Treated  with  great  kindness  by  countrymen.  Attempts  to 
crush  the  petitioner's  claim  to  Iannis  on  Quadras  Island. 
— The  statement  of  Capt.  E.  Young  to  Lieut.  Slacum  concerning 
the  seftlevient.  Kendrick's  purchase  of  Indian  lands.  Ore- 
goo  und  California  made  the  possession  of  the  United  States 


VIU 
PAor. 


CONTENTS. 


by  tlic  petitioner.  Tiie  objects  of  his  enterprise,  the  welfare 
of  hid  country  and  the  g\ovy  of  Gofl.  The  prayer  of 
petitioner. 

CHAITER   1. 

Tlic  object  of  the  first  pages  of  the  book.  The  Author,  the 
.sole  fo'uider  of  the  first  settlement  in  Oregon  ;  any  grant  or 
donation  made  the  author  is  to  be  appropriated  for  educational 
purposes   in   the   land   of  the  freedmaii,   an*l   for   founding   ii 

2 — benevolent  institution  in  Palmev,  Marts.  Tlir  ^iilcrprini' — stu- 
pendous it   was ;    conceived,   planned   and    achieved    by    the 

3 — author  nlone,  ■without  mortal  help.  l{(>sults.  The  author 
testifies  against  British  and  American  fur  dealers  ;  is  hate«l 
and  persecuted  by  them.     Things  embraced  in  the  objects  of 

4 — the  jictition.  The  author's  kindred  turned  from  and  against 
him  ;  is  represented  as  stuplJ,  irfnorant  and  crazy — as  having 
no  "mind  or  means  to  do  anything";  is  not  "destroyed" 
— cared  for  and  kept   by  Jesus  Christ.     The  autiior's  under- 

t» — standing  ;  defense  ;  forty  years'  persecution  ;  he  is  what  he  is. 
Benefits  of  early  instruction  and  training  by  a  j)ious  mother. 
Notiung  like  the  instructions  and  example  of  a  godly  mother. 
Fidfillment  of  the  Scriptures  ;  "•  love  thy  neighbor." 

CI  I A  ITER    II. 

The  author's  name.     Internal  improvements   planned.      An 

expedition  of  emigrants  to  Oregon  planned.  Soi:tm  Pass. 
8 — Route.     Railroads  planned.     Improvements  in  the  sy-stem  ol" 

common  school  education.  Elementary  scliool  l)ooks.  Sab- 
n — bath  schools.  School  books  by  the  author  :  cruelly  treated  by 
lO-adveraariea ;    exploits    while   in   college.     Perpetual    motion. 

Improvements  in  the  system  of  topograidiical  surveying.  Tiie 
12-author  is  represented  as  having  no  mind.     Names  of  rivers, 

places,  and  Indian  tribes  accounted  for. 

CIIAITER    III. 

13-Enemies  take  advantftge  of  the  author's  physical   infirmities; 

.  explanation  of  the  nature  of  his  great  calaviittj  :  his  hesitating 

14-utterance  ;  is  slow  of  speech  ;   his  diflidence  ;  injurv  doiu'  to 

the  optic  nerve;   tinpnralleied   persocntiuns  :   sliocks  given   to 


CONTENTS. 


uc 


An 


iutiH!«; 
itatiii^ 
(in«  to 
ivt'ii  to 


PAUK. 
Irt- 


•tliu  nervuud  system.  Kiuigruuts  enlisted  tor  Oregon  panic- 
struck  by  the  liiroling  pros;*.     P^xpedition  broken  up ;  terri- 

16 — ble  troubles  ;  near  ajjproximation  to  insanity  ;  recovery  lron> 
perjdexity.     Difliculties  attending  composition  ;  forced  to  live 

17 — alone;  torsakeu  by  kindred;  his  deplorable  condition;  he 
has  great  peace. 

CHAFIER   IV. 

What  increase  the  nervous  aft'ections.  Fever  and  ague. 
Divine  IVovidence.  Prostration  of  physical  strength ;  visit 
i'rom  a  good  Samaritan  ;   conducted   down   Uniquaw  river. 

19 — Capt.  La  Flanibois  and  men.  IJonder.u,  humane  Indian 
chief,  conduetM  dciwn  the  Um(}uaw.  His  reward ;  health 
improved ;  life  threatened ;  brutal  treatment ;  mercitul 
Providence.  The  author's  public  announcement  to  set- 
tle Oregon.  Propagation  of  Christianity.  The  primary 
cause  of  the  J«r(ij  ycnriC  war  of  persecution;  the  second- 
ary catise.  Sutferings  at  Vancouver.  The  author's  bag- 
gage overhauled,  and  his  papers  examined.  The  conduction 
of  the  first  settlers  into  Oregon.  The  achievement  of 
his  enterprise  was  by  the  Spirit  of  God.  Wliat  followed  the 
discovery  of  the  j)apers  in  the  contents  of  the  baggage.  The 
II.  B.  Co.'s  troops  in  the  cities  of  Boston  and  New  York, 
and  the  village  of  Three  Kivers.  Advantage  taken  of  the 
author's  friendless  and  suffering  condition ;  mockeries,  in- 
sults and  cruelties ;  self-vindication.     The  author  a  servant 

23 — of  Jesus  Christ ;  vexations  and  torture.  The  author's 
means    for    the     settlement    of    Oregon ;     his    residence    at 

24 — Three  Rivers ;  the  people  abuse.  A  hireling  in  the  N.  E. 
Magazine.     Winter  of  "'."Vi"  passed  at  Washington;    hi.- 

25 — person  arrested  and  abuseii,  and  property  plundered ;  he 
leaves  Three  Rivers  for  Boston  ;  ])ainful  parting  with  his 
family.     Funds  for  the    enterprise    solicited.     Two  rascals, 

26 — Foster   ami  Lovett,  enlist   for  Oregon.     His  party  embarks 

27 — fn)m  New  York  for  New  Orleans.  Take  with  them  his 
property  and  effects.  At  Washington,  the  recipient  of 
favors  and  public  patronage ;  letl  for  New  Orleans,  via 
Mississippi  river.    Foster  and  Lovett  resort  to  acts  of  felony  ; 

2H — forgeries  ;  bold  and  cruel  attempts  to  prevent  his  progress  ; 
2 


20- 


21- 


'>•). 


;!t  CONTENTS, 

riai. 

29 — terrible  troubles  on  board  schooner  Gen.  Lafayette  ;  loss  of 
.'{0 — property  ;  the  captain  a  brute  ;  a  perilous  voyage  ;  arrival  at 
'M — Vera  Cruz;  the  villain  comes  to  grief;  a  murderous  plot; 
82 — the   author's  property   plundered.      The   American    consul 
33 — seems  unfriendly  to  the  enterprise.     Loss  of  property  ;  plans 
.  and  purposes  to  prevent  progress ;  unfriendly  climate ;  con- 
34 — cerning  the  transportation  of  property  through  Mexico.    The 
36 — objects  of  sojourn  through  Mexico ;    passport  of  no  avail. 
Leaves  for  Jalapa.     Correspondence   with    Mr.  Butler,  the 
American  minister  at  the  city  of  Mexico.     Exploration  of 
37 — the  country  ;  table  mountain  ;  travels  on  foot  to  Puebla  ;  ar- 
rives at  the  metropolis ;  meets  with  Foster,  and  has  further 
38 — troubles   with   that   persecutor.      Distinguished    persons    at 
39 — "Washington   hotel.      Wilcox,    the   American    consul.      The 
40 — cholera.     Civil  outbreaks  and  comniotions  in  Mexico ;  vac- 
41 — cination.      Mr.    Butler    informs    concerning    the    property 
detained   at  Vera  Cruz.     Reasons  for  a  change   of  route ; 
42 — reasons  for  traveling  through  Mexico.      The  war  of  perse- 
cution ;    outfits  ;  Foster  ;  personal  arms. 


CHAFrER   V. 

The  journey  resumed.  Two  persons,  Giredot  and  Koyser, 
French  gentlemen,  and  a  countryman  at  the  hotel,  purposed 
to  be  traveling  companions  to  (iaudlaxara.  [They  were, 
however,  such  only  at  times,  when   Divine    Providence    in 

44 — gi'eat  mercy  would  have  tliem  be]  Foster  introduces  a 
footpad  ;  the  servant;''  U'ave  ;  the  ri;rlit  road  missed  ;  taken 
to  be  the  captain  (»f  a  band  of  robbers  ;  ti   singular  occur- 

4."j — rence.     Yula ;    explorations;    history;    face  of  the  country. 

40 — Salais.  Salamanca.  Custom  house  otKcers ;  troubled  by 
tliem  ;  ditficuUies  with  a  custom  house  oificcr  submitted  to 

47 — an  Alcelda.  Deal  with  a  Padre  ;  gun  cxdianged  for  a  horse  ; 
robbed ;    a  tinger   broken ;   providential   event.     Foster   and 

48 — Frederick  leave ;  take  with  them  a  horse ;  alone ;  a  rob- 
ber, in  disguise,  comes  and  otters  help ;  providential 
occurrence ;    robbers ;    a    night    and    a   day    in    the    hands 

49 — of  robbers  ;  their  plans  broken  up  ;  remarkable  interposition 
of  Di\'ine  Providence.     The  village  of  Argua  Caliente.     A 


C'OXTEXTS. 


XI 


humane  Alcekle.  Fandango.  Arrival  at  Guudlaxara  ;  kind 
51 — countrymen.  Foster  and  Frederick  overtaken.  Kindness 
and  liospitality  of  Terry  and  Sullivan.  Improvements  sug- 
gested in  the  system  of  school  education.  Richard  M.  Jones. 
52 — Principal  of  the  State  Institute  in  Gaudlaxara.  Foster 
comes  to  his  end  in  the  Bay  of  Monterey,  Cal.,  "  as  though 
53 — a  mill-stone  were  hanged  about  liis  neck."  An-ival  at  Tepee  ; 
troubles  ;  arrival  at  San  Bias  ;  kind  friends  ;  embark  for  La 
Paz  in  Lower  California  ;  sails  for  Lorett ;  kindly  treated  by 
his  countrymen  ;  proceeds  on  with  single  servant  and  guide  (a 
Mexican)  to  fSan  Diego  ;  ship  Lagoda,  Capt.  Bradshaw,  from 
Boston ;  Thomas  Shaw,  supercargo ;  the  kindest  attentions 
by  the  captain  and  supercargo,  and  by  other  countrymen, 
and  by  tiie  Padres  at  the  missions  on  the  coast.  [The  names 
of  those  noble-hearted  friends  and  helpers  to  be  given  in  a 
card  to  be  published  in  the  Appendix.]  The  book  curtailed. 
Troubling,  to  prevent  dictation  and  action  on  the  petition 
in  Congress.  Hair-breadth  escapes,  perils,  wonderful  inter- 
positions of  Divine  Providence,  passed  over. 


CIlAPrER  Vl. 

55 —  "  Who  settled  Oregon?"  Lieut.  Howison's  report.  Set- 
56 — tiers  no  stragglers.  Declaration  of  Slacura.  Letter  E  in 
57 — report.  Capt.  Young's  statement.  Young's  visit  to  the  hos- 
58 — pital.  H.  B.  Co.'s  attempts  to  break  up  the  settlement. 
59 — Jason  and  Daniel  Lee  made  no  attempts  to  settle  Oregon. 
61 — "  Ten  Years  in  Oregon."  Defence  against  groundless 
<}2 — charges.  The  Lees  discourage  settlement.  The  raissioua- 
C3 — ries  conducted  to  Oregon  by  the  author.  Maj.  Pilcher's 
statement  in  regard  to  the  Lees.  The  author's  call  for  mis- 
sionaries.    Affidavit  of  the  editor  of  Zion's  Herald,     [f  Mr. 


*  That  j)ortion  of  tlie  narrative  from  the  time  of  leaving  Gaudinxara  lO  tliat 
«f  arrivinji:  at  San  Diouo,  owiiid  eitlier  to  mistake  or  inadvertence,  or  loss  of 
manuscript  bv  those  who  M-ouid  delay  or  prevent  dictation,  is  wanting.  It 
will  be  given  in  tlie  Appendix. 

t  Mr.  Green  was  Secielai-y  to  the  American  Board  of  Forei;iu  Missions,  Boston. 

Boston,  December  23, 1847. 
Sixteen  or  twenty  years  ago,  Hall  J.  Kelley,  Esq.  was  accustomed  often  to  call 
at  my  office,  to  converse  on  his  plan.s  and  measures  for  awakening  interest  in,  and 
ultimately  settling  the   Oregon  country.     He  was  actively  and  very  constantly 


I 


a^l 


xn 


fONTKNTS. 


Green's  ntfidnvit  should  follow  tiuit  of  ^[r.  Brown,  tlie  editor 
64 — of  Zion's  Herald ;  it  was  omitted  by  mistnkc]  Wyeth  en- 
65 — lists  as  an  emigrant  to  Oregon.  Settlement  of  California. 
67 — Letter  from  L.  F.  Linn.  Correspondence  with  Gov.  Figne- 
68 — roa.  C  Cnshing's  letter.  What  induced  the  settlement  of 
69 — iCalifornia.  How  it  originated,  i'apers  snppreased  and  con- 
70 — cealed  by  R.  (Ircenhow.  Falsities  by  Grcenliow.  I'ersc- 
71 — cution. 

ClIAll^ER  VIL 

72 —     The  founding  of  tiie   '•  Settlement."     Honorable  notice  of 
the  mthor  in  the  National  Intelligencer.     Lectures  and  pub- 
7C — liwaions  by  the  author ;   vexation  to  delay  dictation  of  the 
77 — book,  and  prevent  action  on  the  petition  in  Congress.    Schcd- 
78 — ulo  of  publications.  List  of  agents.  Map  of  California  and  Ore- 
79 — gon.     Documents  giving  the  history  of  the  purchase  of  lands 
on  the  N.  "W.  Coast,  by  Captain  Kendrick.     Petition  of  the 
author  in  •'  '48,"  asking  for  a  grant  of  land.     Hooks,   docu- 
ments and  numerous  j)ai)ers  verifying  the  statements  of  the 
petitioner,  put  into  the  hands  of  the  congressional  committee. 
80 — R.  Greenhow's  deceiving  book.  Young's  "  statement "  concern- 
ing the  settlcmo.nt  to  which  the  letter  "E"  refers,  not  found  in 
81 — Slacum's  report.     ^listakes  in  the  book,  entitled,  "  Beyond 
the  Mississippi,"  by  A.  T).  Richardson.     First  discoveries  of 
82 — Columbia   River.      Spanish    Discoveries.      Manrelle    chart ; 
this   name   misspelt   in   the   book   (Mamelb).      Richardson's 
83 — book.     The    book    "  Astouia."     No  town  bv  the  name  of 
84 — Astoria.    John  J.  Astoi* — no  laurels.    Fur  dealers  in  Oregon. 
85 — Wrongs  and  outrages  practiced  upon  Indians.     Capt.  Dom- 
86 — mis,  of  the  brig  Owyhee,  of  Boston,  at  Vancouver,  in  the 

cngaae;'  as  I  supposed,  in  efforts,  l)y  means  of  extensive  personal  intercourse. 
by  newspaper  articles,  and  by  circulars  and  pamphlets,  to  disseminate  intelli- 
gence relatinp  to  that  portion  of  our  continent,  then  almost  wholly  unknown 
to  the  mass  of  out  population.  He  continued  this  course  of  labor  for  roanr 
years ;  and  with  more  or  less  constancy,  he  has  had  the  subject  before  his 
mind,  up  to  the  present  time. 

The  welfare  and  improvement  of  the  Indians  in  tlint  Territory,  and  the  intro- 
duction, there,  of  the  blessings  of  civilization  and  tin-  useful  aris,  with  educa- 
tion and  christian  knowledge,  seemed  to  he  his  Icuilmi;  object.  Much  of  the 
early  interest  felt  in  the  Oregon  country  by  New  England  people,  was  proba- 
bly the  result  of  Mr.  Kelley's  labors.    '  DAVID  OKEEN. 


"% 


CONTEXTS . 


Xlll 


87—; 

H7- 
88- 
8{>- 
90- 

ni- 

92- 

94- 


95 

9fi— 

97- 

98- 

99- 

100 

103 

10.') 

107 

108 


109- 
110- 


yeur  1829,  iulbrras  of  the  author's  ptirposo  to  settle  Ore- 
<ron.  The  H.  B.  Conipnny  alarmed.  A  fund  to  thwart 
the  author's  purpose.  Servants  of  the  II.  B.  Company 
sent  to  take  up  lauds  in  the  valley  of  the  Wallamot.  "  Pu- 
jrent  Sound  Agi'icultural  Association  " — no  such  Association  ; 

-Simpson's  remark  in  the  "  Tour  Round  the  "World  "  concern- 
ing the  Association.     The  ways  and  means  by  which  the 

-cause  of  Oregon  was  oppugned.  Gray's  rediscovery  of  the 
On-gon   river.      Land   about    Puget    Sound.      The    treaty- 

-nuiking  power  deceived.  The  report  submitted  in  the  U.  S. 
Senate,  February  .0,  1850,  on  the  petition  of  "  '48,"  vastly 

-injurious  to  the  author ;  the  report  a  great  mistake  ;  Hon. 
John   Davis's   letter  concerning   the  report ;    settlement,  not 

-mere  explorations.  A  memorial  showing  the  objects  of  the 
visit  to  Oregon ;  remarks  of  the  correspondent  of  the  Bos- 
ton  Whig ;     a   letter   of   Senator  Davis ;     Mr.   Webster's 

-opinion  in  regard  to  the  Oregon  enterprise.  Correspondence 
with  members  of  Congress  concerning  the  enterprise.     Mr. 

-Everett's  letter,  dated  March  G,  1827,  in  regard  to  settlement 
at  the  mouth  of  the  Columbia.  Mr.  Everett's  letter  of  De- 
cember 14,  1831,  acknowledging  the  receipt  of  a  memorial, 
and  expressing  an  opinion  concerning  it ;  the  author's 
writings  testily  that  the  objects  of  the  visit  were  good,  to 
iiie  country  and  to  the  Indian  race  ;  concerning  the  gen- 
eral circular  found  by  Lieut.  Slacum  in  the  hands  of  the  set- 

-tlers  in  Oregon.  Synopsis  of  the  circular,  "  The  Oregon 
Settlement";  "Survey  and  Division  of  Lands";  "Gov- 
ernment "  ;  "  Religion  "  ;  "  Education  "  ;  "  Emigration  "  ; 
"  Route  "  ;  "  Indians."  Feasibility  of  the  route.  Scurrilous 
remark  of  a  hii-eling  writer  in  the  New  England  Magazine, 
Vol.  II.  1832,  to  discourage  emigration  and  break  up  the 
expedition  ;  that  hireling's  remarks  in  a  previous  article  in 
the  same  book ;  the  resiilt  of  the  vile  sayings  of  the  hireling. 
"  Indians."  Cruelties  practiced  upon  the  Indians  by  those 
that  hale  and  would  exterminate  them.  White  and  Hack 
pills  administered  to  Indians  ;  Arsenic  and  the  rifle  ;  Indian 
assassins ;  Indian  females  ravished ;  Hostile  Indians  pursue 
the  party  ;  An  Indian  chief  murdered  ;  A  horrible  massacre. 
•Not  all  hunters  unmerciful  to  Indians.  Capt.  La  Flambois,  a 
Rondeau,  kind  ond  merciful. 


# 


XIV 


CONTENTS, 


CIIAFrER  VIII. 

111-     Lettci-fi  of  J.  S.  Linn  ;  Letter  of  D.  W.  Ehnore  ;  Tho  cnll 

112-on  religious  communities  for  missionaries;  Men  of  distim'- 
tion  and  high  rank  enrolled  ;  Companies  on  both  sides  of  tlie 
Atlantic  purpose  to  accompany  the  expedition  ;  The  enter- 
l)risc  encouraged  by  the  Legislature  of  Massachusetts ;  and 
both  encouraged  and  patronized  l)ythe  General  Government  ; 

113-Governmcnt  permission  to  hold  correspondence  witii  the 
Government  of  Mexico ;  Fuiids  and  property  obtained  for 
the  expedition ;  '•'he  American  Bible  Society ;  Tract  and 
Sunday  Sdiool  Union  Societies ;  Members  of  Congress  gave 
books  and  stationery ;  The  committee  on  the  library  gave  a 
set  of  Laws  of  U.  S. ;  The  ciiairmaii  of  tiie  committee  on 
foreign  affairs  was  instructed  to  say  that  public  j)rotection 
would  be   given  to  the   settlement.     A  passport    ordered  by 

114-the  President,  and  endorsed  by  Mr.  Montoya,  the  Mexicuu 
minister ;  Enterprise  much  encouraged :  The  affidavit  of 
Mr.  Wheildon,  editor  (sf  tlie  Bunker  Hill  Aurora  and  Boston 
jNIirror,    of   John  P.  Bigelow,  late    Secretary  of  State    of 

115-Mass.,  later  Mayor  of  Boston,  of  Samuel  AValker,  Escj.,  a 
Counsellor  at  I^aw,  of  AV.  P.  Gregg,  I^sq.,  Secretary  of  the 

116-Common  Council  of  the  City  of  Boston,  of  Gen.  John 
McNeil,    Surveyor   of    the    Port,    of    Joseph    Hall,    Navy 

117- Agent,    of  Isaac  (),  Barnes,  IJ.  S.  Marshal,    of  P.  P.  F. 

118-Degrand,  Escj.  Petition  of  citizens  of  Boston;  Credit  due 
for  explorations ;  Map  of  the  valleys  of  tlie  Sacramento 
river  ;  Precion,s  metals  found  in  Lower  California  ;  Sources 

119-of  precious  metals.  Exploration  of  one  of  the  Sandwich 
Islands  ;  Noble-hearted  countrymei! ;  Exploration  of  the 
starry  heavens  and  the  abstruse  region,?  of  science ;   Study 

120-of  vlie  book  f  f  nature  and  of  the  Bible.  Letters  of  the  Pres- 
ident of  the  N.  Y.  Central  Cidlcge  ;  Expedition  l)roken  up  ; 
What  would  have  been  achieved  if  unopposed  ;    Memoir  to 

121-Congress.  The  I'aciKc  liail  Koad  ;  What  Oregon  woidd 
have  been  if  the  author's  plans  had  been  carried  out.     What 

123-Christianity  is  about  to  do  ;  Tlie  author  lUrlneli/  appointed 
to  do  the   things  he   iia-*   done   in   Oregon;    A'isions   of  the 


% 


CONTENTS. 


XV 


l'24-HU\\\ur,  ami  unmistaknhle  sirins  givcu  him  ;  the  nuthor  "  glo- 
rit's  in  this  one  thing,"  that  he  "  knows  God."  Settlement 
lit  Now  Dergenesft,  on  tlie  8outh  shore  of  De  Fuca's  Sea ; 
I'hinned  for  a  settlement ;   Description  of  Port  Discovery ; 

12r)-Disi'0uragemcntfl ;  Tlie  enterprise  abandoned;  Letter  of 
Henry  A.  Pierce  concerning  the  enterprise  ;  Abused  by  the 
old  American  Comic  Almanac :  Remarks  by  the  author  in 
the  Boston  Post :  I'reparation  of  the  Appendix. 


II. 


# 


'is 


mmm 


REFEREN*     is. 


NARRATIVE  OF  EVENTS  AND  DIFFICULTIES. 

Chaptku   I. 

Suhjpcis. 

PAOi.  PigeNir.  E.D. 

2 — The  founcliujr  of  the  .Settlement,          .             .  .68 

2 — Public  reward  i'or  "  sacrifices  and  services,"          .  ol,  52 
3 — Universal  contempt,    .....  14,  bG 

4 — Testimony  against  powerful  worldlings.    .             .  ol,  70 

4 — "  Idler,"  idle  schemes,             .             .             .  .45 

4 — "  Understanding,"  as  much  as  ordinary,    .             .  73 

ClIAITEH    II. 

8 — Railroads,       .             .             .             .             .  .71 

9 — Stupidity,               .....  47 

12 — External  appearances,              .             .             .  .      8,  1) 

14— Diffidence,             .....  t) 

ClIAI'TER    III. 

20 — H.  B.  Co.  opposes  and  delays  the  settlement,  .           7 

20 — Primary  cause  of  persecution,       ...  28 

20 — Secondary  cause  of  persecution,          .             .  .23 

21 — Orders  ;  cruel  policies,      ....  24 

52 — Foster's  final  end,       .             .             .             .  .91 

57 — Correspondence  with  Gov.  Figueroa,         .             .  91 

71 — Greenhow's  deceiving  book,    .             .             .  .91 

71 — History  of  Oregon  belied,               .             .             .  11)9 

77 — Papers  put  into  the  hands  of  Senator  Linn,     .  .  17,  44 

82 — Cpanish  discoveries;  the  Oregon,               .             .  18 
87 — Lecture  on  Oregon  by  a  Boston  merchant. 


REFERENCES. 


APPENDIX. 

CuAPTEIt    II. 
Page.  Letter. 

12 — Topographical  surveylug,  .  .  .  .A 

CnAPTKr.  III. 

13 — Physical  infirmitieH,              .             .             .             .  B 

14 — Love  of  books,                .             ,             .             .             .  C 

14 — Optic  nerves  ovorst rained,                 .             .             .  D 

17 — By  whom  offences  come,              .             .             .             .  E 

ClIAPTEU    IV. 

Outward  appetranccs. 

17 — Nervous  affection  in  the  head,          .             .             .  F 

18 — Endemic  fever,                .             .             .             .             .  G 

19 — Humanity  of  Rondeau,        .             .             .             .  H 

21 — The  first  settlement  in  Oregon  achieved,             .             .  I 
21 — II.  B.  Co.  would  crush  Kelley  in  order  to  crush  his 

claim  to  Quadras  Island,  .  .  .  .J 

21— Troops  at  Three  Rivers,       .             .             .             .  K 

22 — Forty  years'  war  of  persecution,            .             .             .  L 

34 — Property  retained  in  custom  house  at  Vera  Cruz,     .  M 

37 — Troubles  with  Foster,    .             .             .             .             .  N 

49 — Providential  occurrence,        ....  0 

53 — Christ  avengcth  wrongs  done  his  servants,          .             .  P 

54 — Difficulties  of  speech,  and  at  efforts  with  the  pen,     .  D 

56 — Young's  written  statements  to  Lt.  Slacum  ;  the  manual,  Q 

57 — Capt.  Young  calls  at  the  hospital  at  Vancouver,              .  R 

76 — Enemies  would  unfit  for  the  dictation  of  the  book,  S 

82 — Their  object ;  the  colonization  of  Quadras  Island,          .  T 
107-The  cimlization  of  the  Indians  west  of  the  Rocky  Mts., 
and  the  alleviation  of  their  sufferings,  and  the  human- 
ization  of  those  that  hate  and  oppress  them,  planned. 
119-Minerals  of  California;  oil  of  petroleum  and  mineral 

productions  of  California,  .  .  .  .V 

124-Vi8ions,       ......  "W 

124-Things  providential,       .  .  .  .  .X 

127-Encmiea  take  advantage  of  the  author's  physical  infirm- 
ities. 


nil 


gn 


SUPPLEMENT 

\0  TIIK 

"NABRATI7E  OF  THE  EVENTS  AND  DIFFICDLTffiS 

IX  TUB 

C0L0NIZAT10x\  OF  OREGON 

AND  TUB 

SETTLEMENT  OF  CALIFORNIA;" 

AND 

An  Account  of  Persecntions  and  Aictions  enflnred  between  the  Tears 
•   1824  and  1867,  by  tlie  Writer. 


BV   HALL  J.  KKtiLKY,  A.  M. 


CHAPTER     I. 

[*  Nai-.  E.  D.,  pp.  68,  69.]  The  two  first  chapters  ot 
this  book  are  preUmiuary  to  the  chapters  following,  and 
prefatory  to  the  verifying  and  illustrating  document  to  be 
used  with  the  petition  now  in  Congress,  praying  for  a 
grant  of  land,  or  a  donation  of  money,  for  the  pui'pose  of 
canceling  debte  contracted  while  prosecuting  the  work  of 
the  colonization  of  Oregon,  aud  to  provide  himself  with 
things  comfortable.  The  petitioner  lias  objects  in  view. 
Ho  would  appropriate  a  part  of  what  Congress  would  allow 
him,  for  educational  purposes  in  the  land  of  the  freedmen, 
and  a  part  for  the  founding  of  a  benevolent  institution  in 
the  manufacturing  village  of  Three  Rivciy,  to  be  called 
"The  Widow's  and  Orphan's  Home." 

Quite  half  a  century  has  elapsed  since  tho  conception  of 
[fll]  my  Oregon  enterprise — the  opening  of  the  wilderness 
beyon(f  tho  Rocky  Mountains  to  the  blessings  of  Christian- 
ity.    A  stupendous  undertaking  it  was,  contemplating  tho 


*  Narntivo  of  Events  and  Difficulties. 

t  Numeral  corresponding  with  tlie  numeral  in  the  margin  of  the  Petition. 


2 


highest  good  to  inniikind ;  although  thirty  years  hiivo 
rolled  away  since  its  achievement,  and  yet  my  countrymen 
seem  to  know  nothing  about  it — and  why?  This  question 
I  shall  shortly  answer. 

Any  personal  advantage  to  bo  derived  from  founding 
the  iirst  settlement  on  the  American  sliores  oi  the  Pacific, 
is  wholly  and  justly  claimed  by  me.  It  was  an  under- 
taking fraught  with  great  dlscomugements  and  difliculties, 
and  was  attended  with  great  expense.  It  required  for  its 
accomplishment  much  foilitudc  and  perseverance,  besides 
such  sacrifices  of  time  and  property  which  none,  within  my 
knowledge,  seemed  willing  to  make.  [Nar.  E.  D.,  p.  (58.] 
It  engaged  my  attention  through  the  best  part  of  my  life  ; 


and  absorbed  a  large  estate  of  my  OAvn 


earnmgs. 


To  say 


that  I  wasthey?rs<to  plan,  and  the  principal  to  execute,  is 
not  saying  enough.  As  the  oiili/  pioneer,  without  a  single 
coadjutor,  and  under  extraordinary  circumstances  of  hard- 
ships and  exposures,  and  in  spite  of  the  plaii^  and  intrigues 
of  the  most  powerful  men,  and  associations  of  men  in  the 
world,  I  achieved  the  work.  I  fought  alone  a  troop  of 
these  men,  who  were  actuated  only  by  the  price  to  them 
paid ;  while  I  served  without  price,  or  earthly  emolument. 

I  shall  be  somewhat  particular  in  detailing  events  con- 
ceniing  the  enterprise,  and  the  conduct  of  those  who 
opposed  it.  I  desire  my  countrymen  should  know  how 
much  I  have  expended  in  time  and  property  ;  and  what  I 
have  sullered  to  settle  Oregon,  and  to  make  it  an  integral 
portion  of  my  countiy's  domain.  I  have  tnily  paid  from 
my  substance,  and  from  the  comforts  and  endearments  of 
life,  a  great  price  for  that  land,  though  a  goodly  one  it  is, 
and  have  freely  possessed  the  nation  of  it.  Were  my 
countrymen  fully  apprised  of  all  the  facts  in  the  case,  they 
would  no  longer  turn  a  deaf  ear  to  the  wrongs  I  have 
t-ufiered,  and  the  rights  of  which  I  have  been  defrauded,  as 
they  have  done  for  the  last  thirty  years ;  but,  would  at 
once  return  to  me  all,  and  even  more  than  I  claim ;  both 
as  a  recompense  for  my  services,  and  as  a  testimonial  of 
their  gratitude  for  the  countless  blessings,  those  services 
have  rendered  and  arc  rendering  to  the  country,  [^'ar.  E. 
D.,pp.  51,  52.] 

That  undertaking  was  indeed  stupendous;  its  objects 
philanthropic  in  purpose — I  declare  it.     As  to  its  results, 


8 


thoy  uro  soon  iu  tho  improvod  aspect  of  the  regions  about 
tho  Amoriean  and  Asiatic  shores  of  the  Pacific  and  islands 
of  tlio  sea,  and  in  tho  great  moral  movements  of  tlio  friends 
of  man,  making  tliose  lands  beautiful  and  tho  people 
blessed.  Tho  knowledge  and  glory  of  God  now  fast 
spreading  over  that  dark  portion  of  tho  caiih,  tolls  of 
them. 

With  tho  explanations  I  will  be  ablci  to  make,  tho  reader 
can  more  understand ingly  form  opinions  of  my  capalnlities 
and  usefulness,  and  of  tho  contempt  so  universally  cast 
upon  me,  [Niu*.  E.  D.,  86,  14.]  ■  and  can  better  judge  of 
the  suilcring  condition  to  which  persecutions  and  afflictions, 
endured  for  nearly  half  a  century,  have  reduced  me — such 
as  are,  probably,  without  a  parallel  in  the  present  ago  of  tho 
world.  They  have,  indeed,  reduced  me  to  a  very  suffering 
condition — such  as  men,  looking  at  external  appearances 
only,  and  incapablo  of  discerning  things  spiritual,  would 
think  indescribably  deplorable — but  I  am  not  "distressed" 
— have  never  been  "  distressed" — I  rejoice,  rather  than 
grieve,  that  I  am  made  a  partaker  in  the  sufferings  of 
Christ. 

To  turn  away  enemies,  to  gather  again  the  beloved  ones 
of  my  household,  so  cruelly  torn  from  my  bosom ;  to  remove 
pecuniary  embarrassments  and  tho  obstructions  thrown  into 
the  pathway  of  my  usefulness,  and  to  make  things  more 
convenient  and  comfortable  tho  remainder  of  life,  are 
ecibraced  in  the  objects  of  the  Petition.  Could  these  be 
brought  about,  I  might  hope,  under  the  divine  blessing,  for 
an  entire  amelioration  of  my  pitiable  condition. 

It  is  strange  that  the  enemy,  so  numerous  and  power- 
ful, pursuing  mo  so  hard  up,  for  foi-ty  years,  daily  prac- 
ticing upon  nie  every  wrong  and  outrage,  should  not  have, 
years  ago,  utterly  destroyed  me.  Why  did  they  not? 
Chi'ist  Jesus  would  not  let  them. 

They  were  suffered  only  to  vex  the  outward  man  and 
wrong  the  spkit,  but  had  no  power  to  kill  the  body.  I 
will  state  some  of  the  cruelties  practiced  upon  me  ;  (should 
bo  glad  to  remain  silent,  but  they  are  yersistent,  and  I  am 
still  the  victim  of  their  merciless  power.)  I  will  state 
such  rj  will  be  most  likely  to  enlighten  the  public  mind, 
and  rciiiove  those  inveterate  and  cruel  prejudices  which 
havo    so    long    prevented    the    return    of    friends    and 


ill 


acquaintances  gon?  from  mc,  and  so  much  hindered  use- 
fuhiess. 

[Nar.  E.  D.,  p.  G9.J  The  Scriptures  say  :  "  All  who 
will  live  godly  in  Christ  Jesus,  shall  sulTer  persecution." 
<'  The  world,"  saitli  Jesus,  <'  hatcth  mc,  because  I  testify 
against  it,  that  tlio  wajs  thereof  are  evil."  "By  suiFer- 
ingyc  arc  made  perfect."  Persecutions  and  afflictions  arc 
the  rods  which  have  wliii>;  ed  me  into  the  valley  of  humili- 
ation, where  I  delight  to  be. 

I  have  testified  against  the  powerful  worldlings  belong- 
ing to  the  British  and  American  Fur  Companies,  and  the 
East  India  merchants  doing  business  on  the  N.  W.  Coast ; 
and  so  testifying,  have  incurred  the  implacable  hatred  of 
those  men.  [Nar.  E.  D.,  pp.  76,  51.]  Their  policy 
then,  as  now,  Avas  to  represcpt  me  as  stupid,  ignorant  and 
crazy.  The  friends  of  my  late  bosom  companion,  prior  to 
my  visit  to  Oregon — to  turn  from,  and  against  me,  the 
loved  ones  of  my  household,  called  me  an  idler  and  a 
spendthrift — [Nar.  E.  D.,  p.  45.]  ;  as  one  spending  his 
time  foolishly,  and  "  his  money  for  that  wliich  is  naught," 
and  as  having  neither  JwtwcZ  nor  means  to  do  anything. 

I  do  not  believe  these  evil  sayings  of  my  enemies.  I  am 
not,  nor  have  I  ever  been,  an  ignorant  or  crazi/  man,  an 
idler  or  an  idle  schemer.  My  Avorks,  and  the  fruit  of  the 
spirit,  testify  to  what  I  am.  I  do  believe  that  I  have  as 
much  as  an  ordinary  understanding.  I  have  at  the  pres- 
ent, now  in  old  age,  Avhen  *'  Avaxen  in  deca}',"  as  much  as 
Avhon,  fifty  years  ago,  [Nar.  E.  D.,  p.  73,]  I  conceived 
and  planned  the  settlement  of  Oregon,  as  when,  thirty-five 
or  forty  years  ago,  I  planned  so  largely  for  internal 
improvements  and  the  founding  of  benevolent  institutions, 
and,  as  when  the  wise  and  prudent  about  me  Averc  wont  to 
say  of  mc,  "  lie  is  living  tiiirty  years  in  advanc  of  the 
times." 

About  forty  years  ago,  I  attempted  the  founding  of  an 
institution,  to  be  called,  "  Massachusetts  Mechanical  and 
Agricultural  College.^*  The  subject  was  tAvo  years  before 
the  legislaturci  The  Coinmitteo  on  Education  said  to  me, 
that  if  I  Avould  raise  a  fund  of  $10,000,  the  State  Avould 
give  $10,000  more.  A  munificent  individual  of  CharlcstoAvn 
proposed  to  subscribe  $2,000  ;  myself  Avould  give  a  por- 
tion of  my  estate  in  that  toAvn.     Here,  the  Oregon  enter- 


an 


A 


prise  calling  I'or  my  whole  attention  and  time,  the  project 
was  abandoned.  The  State  of  Massacliusotts,  Avithin  a  few 
years,  has  founded,  an  institution  at  Northhampton,  the 
same  m  plan  and  purpose  as  mine. 

Now,  reader,  Uv^js  not  this  look  as  though  I  was  indeed 
living  thirty  years  in  advance  of  the  times? 

Stupid. — stupid  as  they  are  i^leascd  to  represent  me,  I 
have  intellect  enough  to  discriminate  betAveen  friends  and 
foes ;  to  judge,  and  that  justly,  of  the  good  feelings  and 
the  merciful  regards  of  the  one,  and  of  the  wicked  devices 
of  the  other.  It  is  true,  the  ken  of  the  greatest  under- 
standing can  penetrate  but  a  little  way  the  mind  of  the 
wise,  to  know  its  secrets ;  yet  one  of  ordinary  acuteuess 
caii  penetrate  through  that  of  my  Avorse  tlian  stupid 
defamers.  As  stupid  as  I  am,  1  can  discern  the  intents  and 
purposes  of  those  seeking  to  deprive  me  of  my  good  name, 
of  my  earthly  substance,  and  of  the  comforts  and  endear- 
ments of  my  life. 

No  means  or  mind  to  do  any  thing. — It  AA'as  so  stated  in 
the  City  of  Nca.  York,  in  the  hearing  of  a  multitude  of 
persous.  It  has  often  been  repeated  in  other  places  ;  and 
in  tlic  hearing  of  public  men,  implying  that  I  had  done 
nothing  toAvards  settling  Oregon.  I  pronounce  this  a  con- 
summate falsehood,  uttered  A^'ith  a  malicious  design. 

I  have  on  some  previous  page  truly  said  ;  the  conception 
Avus  mine.  The  sacrifices  were  mine,  great  as  they  wore. 
The  achievement  Avas  mine,  Avithout  mortal  heli>;  virtually 
made,  before  I  left  this  for  that  side  of  the  continent.  The 
enduring  over  foity  years  of  a  merciless  persecution,  has 
been,  alone  mine. 

Mean  and  misanthropic  men  picked  my  pocket ;  and  de- 
ceiving tongues  induced  the  benevolent  to  Avithhold  their 
munificent  prollcrs,  and  their  help.  What  of  that?  My 
means  for  carrying  civilization  and  the  knoAvledgeof  God  into 
Oregon,  ch icily  came  from  the  inexhaustible  store-liouse  of 
heaven.  The  Almighty  God,  the  Creator  of  all  things, 
hath  said,  in  reference  to  human  undertakings,  Avhose 
objecfs  are  his  glory,  "  Not  by  might,  nor  by  poAver,  but 
by  my  spirit." 

I  have  said  much  concerning  self,  and  noAV  find  it  indis- 
pensable to  say  more.  With  as  little  self-esteem  as  self- 
respect,  I  shall  be  able  to  describe  the  poAvers  and  qualitiet 
of  my  mind  ;  ar ^  to  satisfy,  that  it  is  not  strictly  true,  thas 


'1& 


iy 


'4  -'-. 


A^M> 


wmm 


9 


"J*'* 


I  il 


I  am  "  without  muid  to  do  anythir^."  For  natural  eudow- 
ments,  I  have  nothing  to  boast  of*  yet,  the  operations  of 
my  mind,  I  think,  indicate  sanity,  and  such  gifts  as  elevate 
character,  as  high  above  the  chamcters  of  my  groveling 
enemies,  as  the  clouds  are  above  the  ground. 

It  is  duo  chiefly  to  early  parental  instruction  and  train- 
ing, that  my  mind  is  what  it  is.  Blessed  with  intelligent 
and  pious  parents,  who  led  me  in  early  youtli  to  fear  God, 
I  came  into  active  life  serious  minded;  and  much  inclined 
to  consider  my  ways,  and  to  seek  to  know  what  could 
make  me  useful  and  happy.  Before  the  years  of  man- 
hood, I  resolved  on  a  fearless  obedience  to  the  divine 
commands ;  and  to  the  present,  I  have  continued  to  desire 
and  pray  for  understanding  and  skill,  and  for  the  possession 
of  capabilities  and  subs<  nee  to  bless  the  sulFcring  mortals 
about  me. 

There  is  nothing  like  the  godly  instructions  and  virtuous 
examples  of  a  mother.  She  can  better  mould  the  mind 
for  pure  motives  and  generous  actions ;  and  can  better 
guard  against  evil  propensities,  and  prevent  bad  habits  in 
children,  than  the  father  or  school-teacher.  It  was  a 
mother  Avho  taught  me  never  to  take  the  name  of  God  in 
vain, — never  to  be  guilty  of  the  sin  of  insulting  the 
Almighty  with  the  breath  he  gives.  She  impressed  my 
mind  with  a  profound  aid'  pious  reverence  for  Jehovah, 
and  with  a  high  and  solemn  veneration  for  the  institutions 
'of  Christianity ;  and  so  impressed  it  with  the  love  of  truth, 
that  not  a  single  doubt,  as  tc  i,he  divine  authenticity  of  the 
Scriptures,  ever  profaned  the  sanctuary  of  mylieart.  Her 
iustiuctious  and  examples  inclined  mo  to  bo  diligent  and 
porseyeriug  in  l)usiness,  and  faithful  and  patient  in  the 
discharge  of  duties  ;  to  bo  hospitable  and  morciful, — when 
enemies  hunger  and  thirst,  to  feed  them,  and  give  them 
drink  ;  and  to  bless  them  that  persecute.  Finally,  by  the 
grace  of  God,  I  hope  I  have  the  love  for  my  neighbor, 
which  meets  the  divine  requisition  ;  and  am  disposed  to  do 
all  the  good  in  my  power  for  him,  and  for  the  country,  and 
mankind  in  general :  and  to  endure  every  evil  coming 
upon  mc,  with  patience  and  pious  heroism. 

I  say,  therefore,  I  have  mind;  and  have  been  measura- 
bly useful.  Intellectual  gifts,  purity  of  motives,  benevo- 
lent actions,  and  a  spirit  of  public  and  high-minded  enter- 
prise, have  made  me  so. 


Ji 


w 


m 


CHAPTER  II. 

I  am  Hall  J.  Kelly  ;  that  is  my  name  ;  am  what  edu- 
cation, habits,  and  the  grace  of  God  have  made  me,  and 
have  a  disposition  punctiliously  to  perform  every  duty  'a 
life.  Stupid,  ignorant  and  crazy ;  I  have  oftci  been  spoken 
of  in  this  way  ;  not  to  my  face,  but  in  whispc'r,  and  where _ 
slander  can  best  succeed  in  doing  its  work.  These  oppro- 
brious appellatives  Avere  applied  to  me  in  public  journals, 
and  from  the  mouth  of  calumny,  when  all  devoted  to  the 
cause  of  humanity ;  when  planniug  and  cllecting  great  and 
good  things  for  the  people  of  my  country.  My  projects 
Avere  numerous,  and  Avere  such  as,  AA'ith  a  clear  head  and  a 
sane  mind,  I  could  Avell  accomplish.  I  Avill  give  a  list  of 
some  of  them.  Hoav  far  they  indicate  mental  imbecility 
or  derangement,  the  candid,  Avho  knoAv  about  the  founding 
of  the  settlements  on  the  American  shores  of  the  Pacific, 
the  system  of  fair  and  merciful  dealing  Avitli  the  Indians  of 
North  America,  devised  by  me,  and  my  handy  works  on 
both  sides  of  the  Continent,  at  every  place  of  my  abode  in 
New  England,  in  the  Avilderness  and  on  the  Island  of  the 
sea,  all  along,  from  3-^0 uth  to  old  age,  can  judge. 

I  planned  for  Internal  Improvements — a  canal  from 
Charles  River  (Boston)  to  the  Connecticut  Ri\'er,  as 
surveyed  by  L.  BaldAvin,  and  a  ship-canal  from  Barnstable 
to  Buzzard's  Bay.  As  early  as  1827,  I  planned  for  an 
expedition  of  emigrants  to  Oregon ;  to  cross  in  military 
order,  the  Rocky  Mountains,  through  the  depression, 
called  the  Soutli  Pass;  the  same  Avhich  Col.  Fremont  sub- 
sequently minutely  examined  and  described  to  the  general 
Government.  My  knowledge  of  that  Pass  .was  derived 
from  Maj.  Pilcher,  an  Indian  agent.  It  Avas  described  to 
me  as  being  passable  to  loaded  wagons.  So  thousands 
have  since  found  it.  It  is  noAv  the  great  thoroughfare  to 
Oregon.  I  am  particular  in  speaking  of  this  route,  to 
shoAV  the  utter  recklessness  and  falsity  01  those,  wbo,  as  I 
shall  have  occasion  to  mention,  opposed  the  enterprise,  and 
that  too,  from  no  other  motives  than  the  basest  cupidity. 
Men,  Avomen  and  children  have  traveled  this  route,  find- 
ing no  **  insurmountable  difficulties."  Cattle  have  been 
di'iven  in  good  condition,  the  whole  length  of  it,  even  to 


4^    -m 


8 


i^  -..\^'^ 


the  Wallamct  valle}-.     Tho  loaders  ot  the  early  expeditions 
adopted  my  very  plan  for  traveling  that  route. 

The  several  railroads,  such  as  were  supposed  to  be  of 
public  utility,  were  planned  by  rao.  As  early  as  1849,  I 
projected  a  railroad  between  the  Valley  of  the  Mississippi 
and  the  shores  of  the  Pacific.  [Nar.  E.  D.,  p.  71.] 
Reference  to  that  project  is  made  in  my  Geographical 
"Sketch  printed  in  the  above  year ;  and  also  in  my  Memorial 
to  Congress  in  1839,  relative  to  the  statistics  and  topogra- 
phy of  that  territory.  One  branch  of  that  road  was  to 
extend  from  some  point  in  the  routes,  after  the  transit  of 
the  Rocky  Mountains,  to  the  Bay  of  San  Francisco ;  another 
branch  to  terminate  at  Puget's  Sound.  In  1837,  I  sur- 
veyed three  railroads  in  the  State  of  Maine ;  projected 
maps,  and  made  a  printed  report  of  one  of  them ;  in  1839, 
planned  for  a  railroad  thoroughfare  between  the  two  great 
Oceans.  I  conferred  with  Mr.  Mercer,  chairman  of  the 
committee  of  the  Senate  on  Raih'oads  and  Canals,  who 
said,  a  report  would  be  made  favorable  to  tho  enterprise. 
Such  a  report  was  made,  and  nothing  was  further  done  by 
Congress  upon  the  subject.  While  exploring  the  country 
between  Vera  Cruz  and  the  City  of  Mexico,  I  became 
satisfied  of  the  feasibility  of  a  railroad  route  between  those 
two  places.  I  plaivned  and  advised  for  that  improvement ; 
I  made  it  a  topic  of  frequent  conversation  with  Mr.  Wil- 
cox, the  American  consul  at  Mexico,  Avith  whom  I  quartered 
several  weeks,  and  with  other  enterprising  foreigners.  It 
was  one  of  the  subjects  of  a  communication  to  the  Presi- 
dent, Santa  Anna,  describing,  Avhat  seemed  to  mo  would 
be  the  utility  of  railroads  in  that  country ;  and  some  better 
system  of  common  school  education  in  the  Mexican  Re- 
public. 

The  consul  was  an  understanding  man,  and  inlluential. 
He  and  others  wishing  well  to  Mexico,  promised  to  do  what 
they  could  to  cause  the  improvement.  Shortly  after  my 
return  to  Massachusetts,  I  had  the  satisfaction  to  learn,  that 
the  road  had  been  commenced.  It  does  not  follow,  as  a 
thing  in  course,  that  the  undertaking  orighiated  from  any 
thing  I  had  said;  but,  there  is  a  possibility  ;  yes,  a  proba- 
bility, and  some  strong  indications  of  such  being  tlio  fact. 

Education. — I  improved  tho  system  of  common  school 
education  in  my  adojited  State.     The  Black  Board  and  the 


Monitorial  Desk  were  first  introduced  into  the  schools  of 
Boston  by  me.  The  late  distinguished  Joseph  Lancaster, 
was  the  first  to  use  them.  I  prepared  several  elementary 
school  books.  The  first  Sabbath-School  book  used  in  New 
England,  was  by  me.  The  organization  of  the  Sabbath- 
Schools,  in  the  same  portion  of  the  country,  was  by  me 
and  the  late  Rev.  D.  Chessman  of  Boston.  I  am  the 
author  of  the  ♦'  American  Instructor,"  and  also  the  •*  In- 
structor's First  Book. "  They  were,  as  I  tliink,  iraprore- 
ments  on  all  the  other  books  of  the  kind,  then  extant. 

I  have  not  time  now  to  mention  the  numerous  books  and 
documents  and  uewopaper  essays  pertaining  to  conceptions, 
projects,  works,  and  the  fruit  of  the  spirit,  but  will  com- 
plete the  lif^t  of  them  in  the  course  of  the  nairative. 

I  s  y  again,  to  bring  me  into  low  repute  and  to  accom- 
plish laeir  nefarious  designs,  they  call  me  stupid.  Stupid- 
ity implies  a  want  of  mind,  a  lack  of  intellectual  capacity, 
that  which  they  would  also  liave  the  world  believe  of  me, 
[Nar.  E.  D.,  p.  47.]  Said  the  missionaries  in  Oregon, 
•'  Mr.  Kelley  cume  to  this  country  with  a  party  of  strag- 
glers from  Caliiornia,  but  had  no  mind  or  means  to  do  any 
thing."  That  the  reader  may  know  still  more  of  the 
bloody  purpose  of  my  adversaries,  how  unreasonable  and 
cruel  they  treat  me,  I  will  add  to  the  list  of  works  just 
given,  and  further  show  the  endoAnnent  of  some  mind,  and 
the  possession  of  a  full  ordinary  understanding.  When 
"  in  college,"  my  class  Avas  put  to  the  study  of  astronomy. 
For  the  purpose  of  illustrating,  I  constructed  an  Orrery — 
a  macliiuo  showing  the  pathways  of  the  moon  round  the 
earth,  and  the  earth  round  the  sun.  Lead  pencils  fixed  to 
the  axes  of  those  bodies,  and  the  machine  put  in  motion, 
their  orbits  were  exactly  delineated  on  paper.  It  was 
similar  to  a  figure  on  one  of  the  plates  of  Ferguson's  As- 
tronomy. My  class-mates  thought  me  to  have  some  inven- 
tive power  and  mechanical  ingenuity.  In  my  Junior 
year,  a  Senior,  whoso  class  had  been  required  to  calculate 
and  project  a  certain  eclipse  of  the  sun,  which  would 
happen  far  in  the  future,  came  to  me,  saying,  ^f  he  could 
he  furnished,  within  twcnty-fom"  hours,  with  an  accumte 
projection  of  that  eclipse,  he  would  give  me  $5.00.  I 
promptly  complied  with  his  request,  and  the  money  was 
promptly  paid,  and  was  very  acceptable,  being,  as  I  was 
2 


Jli:'^ 


^i 


# 


•t  tbe  time,  in  needy  circumstances.  He  believed  me  to 
JlMrTe  intellect  enough  to  illustrate  any  subject  in  astron- 
OB^,  and  therefore  did  he  come  to  me.  A  j'^ear  or  two 
prior  to  my  entering  college,  much  was  said  in  the  papers 
in  regard  to  a  perpetual  motion.  I  went  into  a  workshop 
determined  on  knowing  the  reality  of  such  a  motion,  spent 
sevei'al  days  in  an  attempt  to  find  out  the  truth  about  it. 
After  several  days  of  study  and  mechanical  labor,  I  was 
mifAled  to  demonstmte  its  impossibility,  and  was  convinced 
that  no  surplus  of  power  above  what  is  required  for  tem- 
porary  motion,  could  be  gained  for  overcoming  friction  and 
air  resistance ;  that  what  is  gained  by  one  of  the  mechan- 
ical powers  is  lost  by  another;  that  nothing  more  is 
possible  than  to  put  them  into  equilibrio. 

One  of  the  results  of  my  scientific  reseaiches  in  1815, 
was  the  conception  of  an  improved  system  of  geographical 
and  topographical  suiTcying.  It  involved  principles  of 
Geometry  beyond  the  comprehension  of  unintellectual  and 
unsophisticated  men ;  quite  beyond  the  reach  of  those  of  the 
mental  imbecility,  which  is  so  universally,  at  the  present 
day,  ascribed  to  me.  Believing  that  the  principles  and 
plan  of  the  method  of  land  surveying,  as  suggested  by  me 
in  some  of  the  public  journals  in  that  year,  if  generally 
adopted  and  practiced,  would  be  of  great  public  utility,  I 
presented  the  system,  in  1829,  to  the  consideration  of  the 
General  Government.  Congress  was  memorialized.  The 
committee  to  which  the  subject  was  referred,  for  a  good  and 
obvious  reason,  gave  the  investigation  of  the  subject  to 
General  Bernard,  then  at  the  head  of  the  corps  of  civil 
engineers. 

This  profound  mathematician  carefully  examined  the 
papers  and  the  formula  I  had  prepared  for  their  illustration, 
reported  an  opinion  highly  creditable  to  his  own  talent, 
liberally  estimating  the  talents  of  the  memorialist.  Not- 
withstanding the  system  was  recommended  as  being  worthy 
of  public  adoption,  yet  nothing  was  done  to  bring  it  into 
practice.  Presiden  t Jackson  promised  to  adopt  it,  when- 
ever a  book,  giving  directions  for  its  practice  and  a  prosier 
apparatus,  should  be  prepared.  I  had  described  minutely 
the  apparatus  and  the  manner  of  using  it,  and  had  begun 
the  to6Ze  of  deflections  necessary  for  the  book,  and  this  was 
all  my  Oregon  entei-prise   afforded  me  time  to  do.     The 


11 


begun 


i 


tables  might  require  for  tlicii*  preparation,  one  or  two  yeaxB* 
assiduous  attention  of  some  learned  mathematician. 

The  present  system  is  unphilosophical  and  erroneo? 
Its  practice  generally  results  in  unceilainties  and 
appointments.  So  defective  is  it,  that  lines  laid  oirf1 
one  sui'veyor,  are  seldom  found  with  exact  ceiiainty 
another,  unless  by  unerring  guides  of  immovable  mono* 
ments.  The  system  which  I  propose  scarcely  admits  ol  an 
error.  It  points  out  an  easy  and  correct  mode  of  ruimltiV 
the  lines  required  in  the  sm-vey.  My  method  has  mut^' 
advantages  over  that  now  in  practice. 

The  numerous  eiTors  of  the  compass  are  entirely  uvoided^ 
The  interests  of  the  land  proprietor  are  better  promotediv 
and  the  wide  door  so  much  open  for  litigation,  which  oftoH^ 
costs  him  his  freehold,  is  effectually  closed.  It  is  the  oafy 
simple  method  by  which  right  lines,  having  a  given  course, 
can  be  run  with  precision.  It  is  attended  with  as  mucih 
ceitainty,  as  the  high  op'ration  of  trigonometrical  sui*veys» 

By  the  present  method,  all  lines,  westerly  or  easterly, 
(supposed  to  be  right  lines,)  are  really  curved ;  and,  if 
across  hills  and  valleys,  are  crooked  ;  but  if  due  north  or 
south,  they  are  right  lines  as  by  my  method,  whether  the  ter- 
ritory be  even  or  uneven.  The  reason  of  this  is  obvious ;  it  is 
evident  that  every  straight  or  right  line  drawn  on  the  sur- 
face of  the  earth  is  an  arc  of  a  great  circle.  An  arc  of  a 
less  circle  is  necessarily  either  a  curved  or  crookod  line.  In 
order  clearly  to  perceive  the  evils  attending  the  present 
mode  of  land  surveying,  it  is  necessary  to  understand  the 
nature  of  geometrical  lines.  The  couraes  of  lines,  not 
due  north  or  south,  or  in  the  plane  of  the  equator,  inin  in 
the  planes  of  less  circles.  All  right  lines  lie  in  the  planes 
of  great  circles,  and  not  in  those  of  less  circles.  Their 
coui-ses,  as  indicated  by  the  magnetic  needle,  coincide  with 
tangents  common  to  both.  The  sui'veyor,  therefore,  on 
depai'ting  from  his  compass  station,  as  instantaneously 
diverges  from  the  magnetic  course  as  the  cucles  diverge 
from  tlieir  tangents.  It  is  further  evident,  that  every 
thing  used  in  determining  the  course  of  these  lines, 
whether  moving  or  stationary,  is  in  the  direction  of  the 
radii  of  a  circle  whose  center  is  identified  with  the  center 
of  the  plane  of  the  equator,  the  common  center  of  gravi- 
tation.    To  illustrate  the  subject,  let  it  be  requu'ed  to  run 


•RKf. 


«• 


mm' 


^ 


12 


I 


'4  dllfi  west  course  on  the  fortieth  panillel  of  north  latitude, 
frl^ineans  of  the  compass  and  perpendicular  stations  as  now 
iCfiiced  in  common  topographical  sui-veying.  If,  then, 
course  is  commenced  due  west,  and  is  continued  by 
"means  as  will  make  it  straight  round  the  globe,  the 
60  ran  will  cross  the  equator  twice,  and  terminate  at 
i  place  of  beginning,  and  will  have  described  a  great 
lie  to  whose  plane  that  of  the  parallel;  to  be  run,  is 
le,  and  foniis  with  it  a  vcilical  angle  of  forty  degrees, 
angle  is  always  equal  to  the  latitude  of  the  place. 
Unoe,  therefore,  as  lias  been  shown,  all  right  lines  only  can 
bfllraced  by  perjjcndiculars  to  which  the  planes  of  less  circles 
W©  oblique,  no  less  circle  or  parallel  can  be  traced  by  the 
tttsnl  method  of  running  lines,  without  violating  the  laws 
of  gravitation.  (See  App.  A.)  I  have  been  tiying  all 
iAoDg,  on  the  foregoing  pages  of  this  book,  to  prove  myself 
not  to  be  a  stupid  man,  as  I  am  univei-sally  repoited  to  be  ; 
and  I  tiaink  when  I  have  adduced  a  little  more  of  the  evi- 
dence which  my  handy  works  can  furnish,  I  shall  succeed, 
And  show  myself  to  be  endowed  in  some  good  measure  with 
intellectual  power. 

Mo  mind  nor  means  to  do  anything.  I  had  mind  enough 
to  do  just  what  I  did.  Had  means  to  do  wonders.  Christ 
Jesus  was  with  me.  I  performed  by  the  "  Spirit  of  God," 
and  did  his  will  "  in  the  power  of  His  might." 

Who  first  accounted  for  the  Indian  name  of  the  "  Great 
River  of  the  West,"  (Oregon,)  and  ajoplied  the  same 
to  the  country  watered  by  that  river?  Who  ascer- 
tained from  whence  came  the  Aborigines  of  North  Amer- 
ica? [Nar.  E.  D.,  p.  20.]  Who  accounted  for  the  name, 
both  of  the  Indian  tribe  and  the  river  called  Kilmook  ?  Who 
accounted  for  the  name  of  Mexico?  Humboldt  did  not. 
Who  accounted  for  the  names  of  many  of  the  places,  tribes, 
of  rivers,  and  animals,  on  the  western  side  of  America?  I 
could  wish  an  answer.  But,  reader,  you  can  not  give  it ; 
you  have  been  deceived  by  lying  tongues  and  by  those 
external  appearances  of  my  person  which  direful  calamities 
and  persecutions  and  alllictious,  so  long  endured,  have 
caused  me.  [Nar.  E.  D.,  pp.  8,  i).]  I  myself  can  give 
the  answer.  I  claim  to  have  been  him  who  has  accounted 
for  them.  I  have  alone  done  them,  and  many  thing " 
more,  that  show  mind  and  as  much  as  a  common  endow- 


^'^^IWp'7"?^ 


•v® 


13 


ment  oi  intellectual  power,  and  some  that  are,  as  I  think, 
public  utility,  and  are  patriotic  and  philanthropic,  extraqyd^^ 
nary  and  wondei-ful — much  which  would  go  to  develop  ih# 
History  of  the  Ancients  of  that  Continent,  and  to  idcntiitt '  '^^^  1 
it  with  that  of  the  dispersed  tribes  of  the  Children  of  IsnMil) '  4'T'^,  j 
but  for  the  opposing  inlluences  of  my  bitter  enemies. 


CHAPTER    III. 

Persecuting  enemies  take  every  advantage  of  my  physi* 
cal  infii'mities  to  bring  me  into  low  repute  with  fviends 
and  countrymen ;  Avhich  circumstance  renders  it  highly 
needful  I  should  explain  concerning  them.  (See  App.  B.) 
My  infirmities  are  what  render  my  external  appearance  unfa- 
vorablo  to  right  perceptions  of  me.  I  will  now  proceed  to 
explain  as  to  the  cause  and  nature  of  the  gieat  calamity  I 
have  so  long  sullered.  Early  in  youth  I  acquired  a  fondness 
for  reading.  The  post  came  along  once  a  week  and  left  at 
my  father's  house  the  newspaper.  Besides  accounts  of 
events,  accidents  and  remarkable  occunences,  it  contained 
bulletins  concerning  the  terrible  wars  then  raging  in 
Europe,  and  thrilling  accounts  of  Bonaparte's  invading  and 
devastating  armies.  They  were  new  to  me,  and  I  read 
with  an  intense  desire  to  laiow  about  them.  They  were 
accounts  of  human  slaughter — of  fields  encrimsoned  with 
human  blood,  and  plains  bestrewed  with  human  carnage — 
of  the  armies  of  spiritual  Gog  and  Magog,  and  of  the  all- 
conquering  Prince  of  the  Kings  of  the  earth,  gathering  to 
battle,  both  mingled  with  and  led  by  despots  and  tyrants, 
and  by  defenders  of  human  rights  and  friends  of  humanity. 
I  read  them,  and  was  kdto  read  books  and  papers  of  every 
kind  as  they  camo  to  hand.  They  were  calculated  to  in- 
spii-e  ambition  and  to  interest  my  feelings ;  the  moi-e  I  read 


u 


!      'i 


^. 


y  mt  more  I  desii-ed  to  read,  to  hear  and  to  ac(iuire  knowledge. 
1 4id  not  then,  so  early  in  youth,  understand  the  dlstiuc- 
ttettB  proper  to  be  made  as  to  the  conductor  in  those  wars. 
Bnl  aiterwards,  in  riper  yeara,  reading,  hearing  and  obser- 
<4JM|ilis  enabled  me  better  to  comprehend  the  meaning  of 
^fiMt  was  read,  and  better  to  discriminate  between  lovers 
,0i'  tiieir  country  and  piiilunthropists,  and  traitors  and  mis- 
pes.  (App.  C.)  Hence  was  my  fondness  for  reading 
itching  ears  for  news.     At  once  I  lelt  my  juvenile  plays 
ipoi-ts,  and  tmued  to  books  and  papers.     I  read  at  times 
;h  the  day,  and  more  than  once  through  the  night. 
ill  taking  up  a  book,  treating  on  some  subject  I  would 
to  comprehend,  it  was  not  laid  down  until  I  under- 
all  its  pages  could  iufonn  me.    "  Neil's  Histoiy  of  the 
IS  of  New  England,"  the  first  ever  published,  and 
histories  of  that  benighted  and  oppressed  people  were 
While  preparing  for  College  I  have  more  than  once 
ied  my  Virgil  lessons  by  moonlight ;  in  tills  way,  often 
I  overstrained  the  optic  nerves,  the  stress  so  ofleu 
>iight  upon  them  caused  near-sightedness  and  to  be  slow  of 
apprehension.     I  have  continued  daily  to  read  or  write,  and 
to  oversti-ain  the  optic  nei-ves,  from  youth  to  present  old 
age,  when  eyesight  fails  and  I  can  do  neither.     (App.  D.) 
At  the  age  of  fom-teen  I  first  experienced  a  difficulty  in 
utterance.     For  one  or  two  years  I  suflered  an  impediment 
in  my  speech ;  in  the  presence  of   superiors  was  unable 
readily  to  begin  i.  terance.     About  the  time  of  entering 
College  I  discovered  myself  to  be  '*  slow  of  speech  "  (of 
apprehension)  ;  this  defect  in  utterance  was,  I  think,  partly 
the  cause  of  the  diffidence  which  has  so  often  in  life  put 
me  to  shame,  and  inclined  men  to  think  lightly  of  me. 
[Nar.  E.  D.,  p.  9.]     Notwithstanding  the  constant  and 
severe  exercise  with  the  pen,  and  daily  study  of  books  for 
so  many  years,  I  am  not  awai-e  that  any  more  serious 
injury  was  done  to  the  o^tic  neiTcs,  than  that  just  spoken 
of,  until  the  year  1824,  when  the  powerful  men  (powerful 
because  millionaires)  of  the  British  and  American  fui*  compa- 
nies waged  a  war  of  persecution  against  me.     I  say  again, 
powerful,  because  of  those  companies'  ready  and  able  writ- 
ers, theh"  ready  spoken,  fine  and  fluent  speaking  hirelings. 
Persecutions  as  cruel  as  man  ever  endured,  since  the  nativ- 
ity of  Jesus  Christ,  the  manifestation  of  God  in  the  flesh. 


•Jia 


'"^m 


u 


4. 
%. 


This  long-continued  practice  of  overstraining  tlie  thalami 
of  the  brain,  chielly  caused  the  nervous  all'ection  in,tl|6!.  ■ 
head ;  this  great  calamity,  the  c&use  of  so  much  sufferiofg^i^ ' 
in  tlie  flesh.  It  was  increased  and  made  more  terrible,  by 
shocks  given  to  the  mind  at  times  of  great  bodily  dcbittl^. 
Besides  the  calamity  and  other  evils  contributing  to  i|gl3f; 
external  appearances,  I  am,  as  has  been  already  explaineo^ 
slow  of  apprehension,  much  slower,  probably,  than  was 
Moses,  who  found  a  like  difficulty  with  me,  in  expression  h|ii 
thoughts,  much  slower  than  Goldsmith,  of  whom  his  coletl^ 
poraries  said,  that,  "  in  conversation  he  never  seemed  1^" 
understand  his  subject."  He  could  not  apprehend  tliS 
proper  thought,  in  season  for  utterance.  They  called 
'*  stupid,  ignorant."  Dr.  Johnson  called  him  an  *'  inspi 
idiot."  As  to  understanding,  the  leader  ol  his  countrymc 
into  the  goodly  land  of  Oregon  was  much  the  inferior 
Goldsmith ;  and  as  to  that  wisdom  which  is  from  abol 
Goldsmith,  very  likely,  was  much  the  inferior  of  Mosc 
the  leader  of  the  Hebrews  to  the  goodly  land  of  Canaati^'; 
This  difficulty  of  expressing  my  thoughts  has  continued^ 
the  last  ten  years,  to  increase  Avith  the  nervous  aflection ;  80 
that  the  last  year  it  has  been  terrible.  At  times  of  high 
nervous  irritation  I  lose  the  physical  ability  of  expressing 
my  thoughts — can  neither  talk  nor  write ;  neither  can  I 
dictate  to  an  amanuensis,  it  takes  me  so  long  to  bring  to 
mind  the  proper  thought.  As  a  legitimate  result  of  this 
evil,  I  am  also  diffident.  This  adds  very  much  to  unfavor- 
able outward  appearances.  Sad,  veiy  sad,  Avere  these  ap- 
pearances between  the  years  1829  and  about  1852,  when 
the  hireling  press  had  turned  and  was  working  against  me, 
and  public  men,  some  of  the  most  powerful  of  them,  were 
working  to  favor  the  cause  of  my  enemies ;  and  the  hun- 
dreds of  emigrants  enlisted  for  Oregon  being  panic  struck, 
left  mo ;  and  kindred,  every  soul  of  them,  turned  against 
me.  I  became  terribly  perplexed,  and  was  driven,  at 
times,  to  high  mental  excitement,  doubtless  to  a  near 
approximation  to  insanity.  Was  then,  more  than  in 
previous  years,  liable  to  foibles,  inadvertencies,  and  impro- 
prieties of  conduct.  In  those  years,  at  every  attempt  to 
perform  before  the  public,  to  lead  in  devotional  exercises 
at  public  gatherings,  was  u  failm'e ;  diffidence  at  such  times 
was  more  humbling  and  mortifying  than  ever.     Often  was 


i;  J 


'--" .  ; 


ji  ii 


16 


put  to  shame.      After  the  last  meutioued  year,  those 
ard  appearances    began    to   wear  a  more    favorable 
it.     I  recovered  from  perplexity.     As  a  consequence 
it  all,  my  head  is  confused,  and  that  continually  ;  and  I 
^<QliiUiot  help  it.     Thoughts,  at  times,  enter  the  mind  disor- 
^BPSly.    That  which  should  come  first,  comes  last,  and  the 
'""'"  first ;  and  they  are  a  long  while  in  coming.     Utterance 
mering.     Language  is  broken  and  dilluse,  without 
ry  or  beauty,  or  any  rhetorical  embellishment.     It  is 
ible  for  mo  to  condense  it  and  render  it  concise  and 
icuous.    My  compositions  abound  with  errors.    I  copy 
copy,  again  and  again,  and  sometimes  the  last  copy  is 
than  the  first.    I  think  my  head  and  heart  arc  full  of 
hts,  original,  great  and  good.    Those  who  judge  of  me, 
ng  only  at  appearances,  would  they  look  at  my  works 
examine  them,  and  examine  the  fruit  of  the  spirit, 
0r  would  not  have  the  false  and  absurd  perceptions  that 
y    have    of  me^ — would  not    suppose    me  stupid  and 
Ignorant. 

A  word  further  as  to  the  condition  and  evils  to  which  I 
am  now  reduced.  Having  nearly  lost  my  eyesight,  I  am 
unable  at  the  present  time  to  distinguish  by  the  features 
one  person  froiu  another,  at  six  feet  distant  from  me ;  and 
am  unable  to  ret,d  manuscript  or  even  print,  unless  it  be 
in  large  t;';\',  and  not  that  without  distress  to  the  optic 
nerves,  aud  a  degree  of  pain  in  the  head.  In  every 
instance,  if  the  reading  is  ever  so  short,  even  a  dozen  pages, 
the  eyes  tire,  and  the  head  becomes  confused  and  I  am 
slower  of  speech  and  tongue,  and  utterance  is  more  stam- 
mering. At  times  of  mental  excitement  or  nervous  irrita- 
tion, there  seems  to  be  a  momentary  suspension  of  the 
power  of  deliberation ;  so  that  I  have  ceased  to  read  books 
or  to  exercise  with  tlie  pen.  I  dictate  my  composition  to 
an  amanuensis.  Can  do  this  only  in  the  fore  part  of  the 
day,  not  every  day,  and  not  more  than  tAvo  or  throe  hours 
in  any  day.  The  shattered  and  morbid-smitti^n  nervous 
system  is  never  so  bad  as  in  the  hot  season  of  the  year, 
and  has  never  been  so  terrible  as  in  the  present  season. 
Am  all  the  while  faint,  and  sullering  a  slow  fever.  As  I 
have  heretofore  said,  am  forced  to  live  alone.  I  am  fond 
of  society,  and  delight  in  communion  with  the  virtuous 
and  intelligent.     Am  forced  to  do  my  indoor  and  outdoor 


17 


work.     There  are  none  disposed  to  help  mo.     Help,  both 
male  and  female,  are  turned  from  mo.     My  beloved  horouBe- 
hold,  and  all  in  the  circle  of  kindred,  every  soul  of  th|em, 
deceived,  have  gone  from   me  and  are  turned  against  ine) 
and  all  in  the  circle  of  friends  and  acquaintances,  decoited» 
have  turned  to  treat  mo  with  contempt,  some  with  shame- 
ful abuse.     Now  is  it  not  terrible  that  one  in  old  age  And  M 
"waxen  in  decay,"  who  can  only  move  about  by  the  help  of  ;f^ 
a  ca/ju,  to  be  left  to  live  alone,  to  do  his  own  work  iu  thg 
field,  at  times  under  a  burning  sun,   and  in  the  houiBO 
times,  to  cook  his  food  over  a  hot  stove,  under  a  bi 
fever,  to  be  daily  vexed  and  worried,  daily  put  to  rack  an^ 
torture?    It   is  terrible,   and  terrible  persecutions  hay! 
made  it  so.     Now  is  not  this,  I  ask  again,  a  condition 
ly  deplorable  ?    But  infinitely  more  deplorable  h  the 
dition  of  every  one  "by  whom  offences  come."    (App.  R,' 
But  it  must  needs  be  that  I  so  suffer — nevertheless  I  have 
the  peace  that  Christ  gives  to  those  who  love  him. 


^..  W 


th.y'- 


^ 

imi 

^tiijllj 

CHAPTER  IV. 

(26)  In  connection  with  what  is  said  in  the  last  chap- 
ter, it  is  proper  to  state  farther,  what  contxibutcJ  to  in- 
crease the  morbability  of  the  nervous  system,  and  render 
it  more  susceptible  of  the  injuries.  Persecution  was  doing 
it,  and  causing  the  sea-sickness  and  prostration  of  strength  I 
was  brought  to  sulfer  during  the  times  of  my  sea  voyages. 
In  doing  this,  I  shall  more  fully  account  for  my  humbling 
exteiTial  appearances  during  the  time  of  mental  excitement, 
and  high  nei'vous  iii'itation.     (App.  F.) 

When  exploring  the  low  and  pestilential  tracts  in  the 
Southern  region  of  the  Sacramento  valley,  I  contracted  the 
fever  and  ague.  It  rapidly  increased  and  soon  became 
terrible.  The  most  remarkable  interposition  in  the  course 
of  my  perilous  adventures  in  the  wilderness,  occurred  just 
after  crossing  the  Sierra  Novadas  and  entering  Oregon.  I 
will  relate  the  particulars.  My  party  was  providentially 
3 


v^ 


':m-"A 


iilfl 


l('i 


made  to  halt  at  the  very  moment  when  the  endemic  was 
hATing  its  worst  effects  unou  me,  and  when  I  could  no 
loqger  be  borae  on  horeeback.  My  strength  had  rapidly 
WM^ed,  and  at  times,  I  fainted  and  fell  from  the  saddle. 

While  in  a  thickly  wooded  mountain,  it  suddenly  came 
oii  dark,  and  we  were  obliged  to  stop  for  the  night,  in  the 
i^Bt  of  woods  and  thick  darkness.  Lowering  partly 
dawn  from  the  animal,  I  fell ;  the  stones  and  leaves  on 
wKioh  I  fell  composed  my  bed.  In  the  morning  it  was 
fitund  that  some  of  the  horses  and  pack  mules  had  strayed 
aWay.  We,  however,  proceeded  on  two  or  three  miles, 
vid  encamped  on  an  open  patch  of  ground.  Capt.  Young, 
Hiy  (ymductor,*  and  the  men  who  had  been  of  his  hunting 
If  returned  to  the  mountains  to  search  after  the  lost  an- 
This  caused  a  delay.  The  five  marauders  who  had 
r^t^hed  themselves  to  my  party,  two  days  after  leaving 
the  B^y  of  San  Francisco,  remained  in  camp,  and  were  jo- 
oose  and  profane  about  the  fire.  I  was  now  shaking  like 
an  aspen  leaf,  prostrate  and  helpless  in  my  tent.  (App.  G.) 

The  place  of  this  encampment  was  upon  the  high  land 
near  the  sources  of  the  principal  rivers  watering  the  two 
countries,  to  settle  which,  I  had  spent  my  best  days,  my 
fortune,  and  all  my  earthly  comforts.  Death  appeai-ed  in- 
evitable ;  earth  seemed  at  an  end ;  and  the  portal  of  glory, 
to  be  opening.  Conversation  in  the  camp  paused ;  and 
now,  an  angel  came  to  comfort  me — "  Cheer  up,  be  not 
afraid  ;"  "  Balm  and  a  physician  are  here  ;"  "God  is  thy 
helper,  and  he  will  deliver  thee."  In  the  solitude  of  that 
wilderness,  where  none  but  Indians  and  hunters  roan  cd — 
at  that  still  moment,  I  heard  from  a  shoii;  distance, 
that  shrill  voice,  so  often  heaixl  in  civilized  lands — even 
the  voice  of  *^he  cockerel,  a  domestic  bird,  a  chieftain 
among  his  mce,  so  wont  to  celebrate  his  own  trimnphs, 
now  loudly  crowing,  as  though  exulting  in  the  triumphs  of 
my  enterprise,  and  proclaiming,  "Now  it  is  achieved  ;  now, 
in  this  v:'ddeme88,  is  fixed  the  abode  of  cm7t«a<eon  ,•  now, 
and  henceforth,  my  voice  and  the  voice  of  the  tui  tie-dove 
shall  be  heard  in  this  land."  Though  cheering,  j'et  it  was 
painful,  like  other  associations,  which  it  caused  to  crowd 
into  the  mind.  Then,  suddenly,  another  voice  was  heard. 
A  stranger  coming  into  the  camp,  inquired — "Where  is 

*  See  unprinted  pap«!r  £,  Appendix,  Slaam's  Report,  Senate  Docu- 
ment, 1887-8,  No  24. 


19 


two 


Capt.  Kelley?"  He  came  to  my  tent  aud  said  he  wad 
Capt.  La  Flambois,  horn  the  Columbia  River ;  and  had 
been  with  his  trappers  to  the  Bay  of  San  Francisco,  where 
he  had  heard  of  me  ;  and  that,  he  had  hastened  to  overtake 
my  party,  having  had  nothing  more  for  his  guide  tlian  the 
traces  of  our  encampments.  He  liindly  took  charge  of  my 
effects,  and  removed  me  to  his  camp.  This  good  Samari- 
tan fii'st  administered  a  dish  of  venison  broth ;  and  then,  in 
proper  time,  a  portion  of  quinine.  The  third  poition,  tok- 
en on  the  second  day,  dismissed  the  endemic  monster. — 
After  two  days  at  that  place  I  was  able  to  stand  upon  my 
legs,  but  unable  to  walk.  Before  leaving  the  ever-menio- 
rable  spot  where  my  immortal  spirit  had  nigh  taken  its  dlfr- 
parture  from  earth,  the  Captain  engaged  an  Indian  chie|;to 
take  me  in  a  canoe,  forty  or  fifty  miles  down  the  Umpqiuu 
At  first  the  chief  declined,  saying,  that  the  upper  part  of 
the  river  was  not  navigable.  Finally,  in  view  of  a  boimtt- 
ful  reward,  he  consented  to  try.  In  the  rnoming,  I  was 
placed  on  my  mule,  and  borne  six  miles  to  the  place  of  em- 
barkation. The  chief  at  one  end,  his  son  at  the  other, 
and  myself  sitting  upright  in  the  centre  of  the  boat,  we 
floated  swiftly  along  the  current.  The  hoary-headed  chief, 
with  wonderful  skill,  descended  the  rapids.  Often  was  he 
in  the  foauing  stream,  holding  on  to  the  bow  to  save  the 
boat  from  pitching  or  sinking  into  the  angiy  flood.  The 
voyage  was  made  in  a  day  and  a  half,  and  there  was  much, 
in  that  time,  to  cheer  my  spirits,  and  give  me  strength. 
The  heavens  were  serene,  the  air  salubrious,  and  the  coun- 
try on  both  aides  Avas  charming.  At  the  landing,  the  faith- 
ful Indian  received  of  my  property,  a  fine  horse,  saddle 
and  bridle,  a  salmon  knife  aud  a  scarlet  velvet  sash,  and 
was  satisfied.  Rondeau,  whom  the  Captain  had  appointed 
to  be  my  attendant  and  guide,  was  ready  at  the  bank  to 
conduct  me,  a  few  miles  distant,  to  the  camp  of  my  new 
party.  I  mounted  with  a  little  help,  and  rode  ott',  feeling 
like  a  new  man.     (App.  H.) 

My  journeying  in  that  wilderness  was  full  of  interesting 
incidents  and  things  terrible.  That  my  adversaries  in 
Oregon  conspired  against  my  life,  is  to  me  clearly  evident ; 
and  I  have  a  reasonable  suspicion  that  the  feeble  health 
which  I  have  continued  to  ijufl'er  the  last  thuty-three  years, 
is  the  effect  of  poison  administered  about  the  time  of  my 
departure  from  that  land. 


20 

The  maiiDer  they  treated  me  was  worse  than  brutal.  It 
was  their  cupidity  after  Quadrats  Island  which  led  them 
on.  It  was  this  which  gave  great  energy  to  their  motives ; 
•ad  made  them  fierce  and  resolute  in  abuse  and  outrage 
upon  me.  The  result  of  haidsliips  and  their  cruelties,  is  a 
nervous  affection  in  the  head,  and  physical  dehilHies. — 
Though  tile  body  is  made  feeble^  and  the  h^t'''  ■oyifased^ 
yotthe  heart  is  pure  ficaidiihe  hands  clenm  ':  '  v  spirit 
v^thin  remains  inflexible  and  invincible  i.,\  t-.e  side  of 
truth.  Finally,  a  merciful  Providence  interposed  for  me. 
The  Mighty  God,  who  will  blast  the  Iiopes  of  my  enemies 
and  "bring  their  lofty  looks  to  the  dust,"  saved  me. 

"Let  not  man  glory  in  his  wisdom,  nor  the  mighty  man 
>  in  his  might,  nor  the  rich  man  in  his  riches,  but  let  him 
itjat  glorieth,  glory  in  this,  that  he  understandeth  and 
knoweth  me,  that  I  am  the  Lord  which  exercise  loving- 
kindness,  judgment  and  righteousness  in  the  earth  ;  for  in 
these  things  I  delight,  saith  the  Lord." 

I  have   spoken  of  persecutions  and  afflictions,  long  on- 
dared,  will  now  speak  more  particularly  concerning  tlieiT> 
of  their  primary  cause  anti    ruel  results. 

(1.)  In  the  year  1824  I  announced  to  the  world  my  vi- 
tention  to  settle  Oregon,  and  to  propagate  in  regio  s  ';  • 
yond  the  Rocky  mountains,  Christianity.  Tlie  II.  1  l  . 
and  its  ^OAVorful  friends,  alarmed,  planned  to  prevent  XL- 
ove  throw  of  their  monopolies  in  those  regions  ;  in  other 
words,  to  hinder  or  prevent  the  founding  of  any  colonizing 
settlement  in  that  country,  and  the  great  good  I  had  plan- 
ned (7.)  for  mankind.  This  xh^g primary  cause  of  the 
war  of  persecution  by  that  company.  There  is  a  set^.idary 
cause.  (29.)  Again  they  are  alarmed.  At  the  time  of  my 
arrival  at  Vancouver  in '34,  the  Company's  chief  post  in 
Oregon,  I  was  suffering  great  bodily  debility,  9i.  was 
thrust  into  the  hospital  at  that  place,  and  was  ke^  i  ib  »r», 
while  a  sufiiclcnt  opportunity  was  aflbrded  to  overhiO  •  ly 
baggage,  and  to  examine  its  contents.  In  a  trunk  uiade 
of  tt  wild  bull's  hide,  were  dee'li^,  charts,  historical  ac- 
counts and  ctbcr  papCiS,  s'' o^^'ug  n  vseJf  to  be  in  posses- 


sion of  the  evidence  of  a  g-od  title;,  v  ich  certain  Ameri- 
cans, myself  among  them,  had  to  the  largest  and  fairest 
portions  of  Quadra's  Island,  and  also  showing  myself  to  be 
(23)  the  attorney  andad/o^ate  of  the  claimaiits.  I  had 
already   conducted  into   that  country   the  lirst  emigrants, 


Wt, 


tt 


for  in 


■•  ■■■i.y 

kk  iiiude 

I'ical  ac- 

posses- 

Anieri- 

fairest 

tit  to  be 

I  had 

llgrants, 


and  founded  in  the  valley  ol  Wallammet  the  first  settlemeu®^ 
(App.  I.)  and  that  undei'  such  circumstances,  as  would  ren- 
der it  impossible  for  the  snemy  to  break  it  up.  Indeed,  it 
was  impossible  for  any  human  power  to  break  it  up. — 
That  undertaking,  as  all  philanthropic  undertakings  are, 
was  achieved  by  the  "spirit  of  God,"  in  the  * 'power  of  hia 
might."  As  already  suggested  on  some  preceding  page, 
the  Lord  Jesus,  the  beloved  Son  of  Almighty  God,  was 
with  me,  and  wrought  for  me.  In  view  of  the  achieve- 
ment, it  might  natm'ally  be  supposed,  that  the  war,  and 
with  it  all  further  persecutions,  would  cease,  and  undoubt- 
edly it  would  but  for  the  discoveries  made  in  my  baggage. 
But  their  cupidity  reaching  after  the  lands  just  mentioned, 
was  the  cause  of  renewed  hostilities.  Here  is  the  origin 
of  most  of  the  cruelties,  which  f or  r  ?arly  half  a  century, 
have  been  practiced  upon  me. 

After  the  discoveries  in  the  baggage,  measm-es  were  im- 
mediately taken  by  the  chief  factor  of  the  Company,  to  pre- 
vent intercoui'se  and  concert  of  action  between  me  and  my 
settlers;  believing,  as  undoubtedly  he  did.  that  to  put 
Kelley  out  of  the  way  would  render  it  less  difficult  to  re- 
tard euilgration,  and  to  perpetuate  the  Company's  hold 
upon  the  lands.  (App.  J.)  Wherefore  I  was  represent- 
ed as  an  impostor,  and  as  slandering  the  settlers,  who,  be- 
coming incensed  against  me,  threatened,  by  letter  and  oth- 
erwise, to  take  my  life.  The  orders  then,  were,  destroy 
him.  Martyrdom,  then,  seemed  inevitable.  The  oixiers, 
afterwards,  on  this  side  of  the  continent,  were — treat  him, 
at  all  times,  and  in  all  places,  with  contempt  and  abuse  ; 
follow  him  hard  up  with  calumny  and  outrage  ;  and  break 
him  down,  mind  and  body — utterly  destroj'  him. 

(24)  To  accom])lisli  their  designs,  and  to  prevent  mine, 
and  to  make  an  end  of  my  project,  they  raised  an  army  in 
the  city  of  Boston,  and  afterwards  in  *27  enlisted  troops  in 
the  cities  of  New  York  and  Washington,  and  in  '29  raised 
a  more  bloody  troop  in  the  village  of  Three  Rivers,  to 
which  place  I  had  just  moved  my  family  (App.  K.)  Here 
they  fought  me  until  my  departure  for  Oregon  in  '32.  In 
'39,  some  years  after  my  return  from  that  territorj',  I  took 
up  again  my  abode  at  Three  Rivers,  and  here  my  adversa- 
ries conspired  together  to  drive  me  from  the  place  or  from 
the  world,  with  the  object  of  bringing  into  the  grasp  of 
their  cupidity  the  valuable  lands  belonging  to  me,  and  tlie 


■ii 


32 

and  unoccupied  mill  privilege  belonging  to  a  gentle- 
'  man  abroad,  for  whom  I  have  many  years  acted  as  agent, 
^^'he  persecution  has  been  of  forty  years  duration,  unrelent- 
ig,  unremittant  and  terrible ;  and  the  conspiracy  has  been 
f  twenty-eight  years  duration,  and  as  diabolical  as  was 
ever  known.  (App.  L.)  Taking  advantage  of  my  friend- 
less condition,  and  the  calamities  and  evils  they  themselves 
have  brought  upon  me,  and  the  patience  and  forbearance 
towards  them,  they  have  succeeded  to  impress  upon  the 
minds  of  multitudes  the  belief  that  I  am  just  what  I  am 
aot,  and  that  I  am  deserving  all  the  cruelties  they  practice 
apon  me.  Now,  these  mockeries  and  abuse  have  become 
intolerable.  I  never  speak  in  malice,  nor  am  I  ever  pro- 
voked, to  revenge,  and  can  brook  insults  and  impositions 
as  long  as  any  man,  but,  truly,  forbearance  has  ceased  to 
be  a  virtue ;  and  it  behooves  me  severely  to  rebuke  them, 
and  publicly  t  •  demonstrate  the  reality  of  the  monstrous 
evils  which  they  have  done  and  are  doing  me.  There  are 
a  few  (I  know  them  and  their  folly)  whose  popularity 
and  position  among  their  fellow  men,  give  them  greater 
influence  than  ordinarily  belongs  to  slanderers,  (the  com- 
mon devils,)  breathing  their  pestilential  breath  upon  the 
communities  about  me.  A  word  or  a  nod  from  them  is 
suflScient  to  blast  the  character  of  any  powerless  and  hum- 
ble individual,  however  pure  and  exemplary  it  may  be. — 
These,  partly  for  their  friends'  sake,  I  shall  spare  awhile 
longer,  hoping  they  will  consider  on  their  ways,  turn  about 
and  deal  justly  with  me.  It  is  not  my  purpose  to  desig- 
nate persons,  nor  to  specify  as  to  their  conduct,  further 
than  circumstances  will  force  me  to  do,  and  imperative  du- 
ty, the  vindication  of  myself  and  the  promotion  of  the  pub- 
lic good.  Responsibilities  to  God  and  duties  to  myself 
and  the  public  compel  me  now  to  say  what  forbearance 
and  a  disposition  for  peace  have  long  prevented  my  saying. 
Justice  has  not  been  regarded  by  them,  nor  have  the  cries 
of  suflering  humanity  been  answered  by  the  voice  of  com. 
miseration.  I  will  longer  delay,  longer  spare  ceitain  of 
them,  sharing  largely  the  public  confidence,  though  more 
than  others  they  have  wronged  me  and  injm-ed  theu"  coun- 
try. To  some  of  the  captains  of  the  bloody  host  I  am 
constrained  to  administer  rebuke. 

Before  saying  anything  further  in  regard  to  the  settle- 
ment of  Oregon,  I  will  speak  exclusively  concerning  the 


23 

war  which  has  raged  bo  many  years  so  terrible  against  me, 
a  servant  of  Jesus  Chi'ist ;  to  hinder  the  work  appointed 
by  the  Lord  Jesus  for  me  to  do.  I  say  servant.  I  am 
such  according  to  the  will  of  God.  I  know  I  am ;  and  it 
has  been  my  duty  to  testify  against  dome  of  the  most  pow- 
erful worldlings  on  earth  "that  their  ways  are  evil,"  there- 
fore do  they  hate  me  aad  go  about  to  destroy  me. 

N6ver  has  wrong  and  outrage  been  more  terrible  than 
during  the  past  year,  and  at  the  present  time,  much  more 
terrible  than  at  any  period  in  the  past  forty  years ;  and 
never  more  merciless  has  been  the  persecution  of  persecut- 
ed innocence ;  never  more  done,  in  the  way  of  vexations, 
to  prevent  action  on  my  present  petition  to  Congress,  and 
any  confederation  of  my  claim  on  the  country,  and  to  unfit 
for  the  dic'^ation  of  this  book,  this  appeal  to  the  justice  of 
Congress  and  to  the  humanity  of  the  christian  public. 

I  must  hasten  to  tell  my  countrymen  of  the  vexations 
and  tortures,  and  the  nithless  vengeance  of  my  implacable 
enemies ;  must  hasten  to  remove  prejudices,  and  call  back 
friends  and  countrymen,  many  years  gone  from  me.  What 
1  shall  tell  will  be  a  mere  synopsis  of  what  should  be  told. 
I  will  now  proceed.  As  early  as  in  the  year  '24,  as  has 
already  been  stated,  my  adversaries  first  devised  my  hurt ; 
and  in  the  year  '28,  taking  the  advantage  of  the  pecuniary 
embarrassments  brought  upon  me  by  a  heavy  loss  of  prop- 
erty in  the  Three  Rivers  manufacturing  company,  they 
plamined  to  get  from  me  my  princely  estate  and  comforta- 
ble home  in  Charlestown,  Mass.,  believing  that  by  eo  do- 
ing they  would  deprive  me  of  the  means  which  they  suppos- 
ed necessary  for  the  accomplishment  of  the  Oregon  enter- 
prise. In  this,  however,  they  were  mistaken.  My  means 
were  wholly  from  the  inexhaustible  store-house  of  lleaven, 
and  by  low  cunning  and  artful  management  they  succeed- 
ed in  getting  from  me  that  estate  at  one-fourth  part  of  its 
real  value. 

In  the  Spring  of  '29,  to  be  at  a  greater  distance  from  ad- 
versaries who  are  coming  daily  to  worry  and  impoverish 
me  and  to  delay  progress  in  my  great  and  ))enevolent  en- 
terprise, I  moved  with  my  family  to  the  village  of  Three 
Rivers,  where  I  had  some  landed  estate,  purchased  in  '28, 
at  the  sale  of  the  property  of  the  Three  Rivers  manuf  actur- 
ilig  company,  taking  with  me  what  household  stuff  the 
plunderers  of  my  property  had  left.     I  continued  my  resi- 


v=%;ir*''' 


■ii    ! 


24 


dence  at  this  place  until  the  Spring  of  '32,  when  I  was 
di'iven  from  it.  I  made  frequent  visits  to  Boston,  where 
was  my  headquarters  ;  and  when  my  domestic  concerns  ad- 
mitted of  my  absence,  I  traveled  New  England,  everywhere 
lecturing  on  Oregon  ;  but  my  adversaries  were  everywhere 
on  the  alert.  They  watched  every  movement  "f  mine, 
pm'suing  me  from  city  to  city,  laying  every  plan  to  vex  and 
worry  me,  to  alienate  friends  and  tura  them  from  and 
against  me,  and  to  discourage  those  who  had  enlisted  for 
Oi'egon  (several  hundred  had  enlisted)  and  to  tuni  them 
from  their  purpose.  The  public  was  bribed  to  abuse  me, 
and  shamefully  did  it  misrepresent  concerning  the  expedi- 
tions which  were  being  made  ready.  Scm'riUous  articles 
appeared  in  some  of  the  leading  public  journals,  written 
by  a  hireling ;  several  in  the  N.  E.  Magazine,  I  am  happy 
to  say  not  the  products  of  the  pen  of  the  editors.  The  first 
in  this  periodical  disgraced  the  number  for  Feb.,  1831.  I 
believe,  as  far  as  it  could  be  done,  it  was  voluntarily  sup- 
pressed, being  libelous,  so  abusive,  so  perfectly  regardless 
of  truth,  so  extravagant  in  its  denunciations,  that,  like  oth- 
er vice,  to  be  hated,  it  needed  but  to  be  seen.  Two  other 
articles  followed. — Vol.  II,  Fel>.  and  April,  improved  it  is 
true  in  phi'aseology,  but  scarcely  less  scandalous  than  the 
former.  The  hU'eling  commences  with  a  contemptuous 
sneer  at  the  comparative  resources  of  Oregon.  He  dwells 
particularly  upon  the  distinguished  advantages  of  New  Eng- 
land ;  intimating  the  folly  of  those  who  would  leave  this 
birth-place  of  their  fa;£hers,  with  all  its  comforts  and  endear- 
ments ;  as  though  the  statesman  and  philanthropist  might 
here  forever  find  full  scope  for  their  generous  and  noble  as- 
pirations. I  passed  the  winter  '32  in  Washington,  solicit- 
ing the  patronage  and  co-operation  of  Congress  in  my  enter- 
prise. Late  in  the  spring  I  left  for  N.  E.  to  complete  ar- 
rangements for  my  final  departm*e  for  the  other  side  of  the 
continent. 

On  my  arrival  at  Palmer,  and  within  sight  of  home,  where 
my  loved  family  dwelt,  I  was  arrested  by  an  officer,  who 
served  upon  me  a  precept  which  had  no  foundation  in  just- 
ice, and  was  only  designed  to  detain  my  person  and  plunder 
my  property.  I  was  manacled,  and  taken  to  the  village,  to 
the  door  next  to  my  home,  where  my  c  inpanion  and  chil- 
di'en  came  to  greet  me ;  yet  did  they  grieve  at  my  afUictions, 
and  their  hearts  were  soiTowtul  at  what  was  being  done  un- 


i  !'i 


25 


to  me.  Til  is  attack  waa  from  au  unscrupulous  hireling,  in 
the  shape  of  a  lawyer,  living  in  a  dark  alley  in  the  city  of 
Boston  ;  he  was  moan  and  contemptibh;,  a  fit  tool  for  the  re- 
lentless enemy.  Unwilling  to  tarry,  to  contend  in  law,  and 
delay  the  enterprise,  I  answered  the  demand,  unjust  as  it 
was,  and  so  freed  myself  from  the  clutches  of  my  cruel 
pursuers. 

A  few  days-  after,  I  was  threatened  with  another  suit, 
which  had  the  same  design. 

To  avoid  the  delays  and  vexations  which  these  proceed- 
ings would  necessarily  cause  me,  I  left  the  place  for  Bos- 
ton, from  whence  I  sent  for  my  family  and  effects.  Before 
the  latter  could  be  ro moved,  they  were  plundered  to  the 
amount  of  several  hundred  dollars. 

These  brutal  acts  were  not  instigated  by  my  townsmei 
but  by  brutish  men  from  Boston,  whose  object  was  to  prt 
vent  progress  in  my  undertaking.     In  view  of  a  contei 
plated  long  a1)scnce,  I  did  not  forget  to  provide  sufficiently 
for  the  supjjort  of  the  dear  ones  of  my  household,  makinsf 
arrangements  with  friends  who  had  this  "  world's  ffoods" 
in  abundance,  and  who  were  accustomed  to  show  kiudness,|! 
and  to  give  good  cheer* 

The  time  for  my  departure  drawing  near,  I  went  to 
Bradford,  where  my  family  resided,  to  take  the  painful 
leave.  The  moment  of  parting  arrived.  My  companion 
looked  sober,  and  probably  felt  sad,  though  her  aflcction- 
ate  regards  had  been  somewhat  alienated,  by  deceiving 
monsters,  who  had  ill  advised  her.  My  children,  young, 
unconscious  of  the  nature  of  the  parting,  were  cheerful 
about  the  room.  My  heart  was  burdened,  and  I  could 
scarcely  speak  a  sorrowing  good-by.  Taking  my  valise, 
I  left;  and,  when  beyond  hearing,  grief  burst  forth,  and 
I  wept  aloud.  I  proceeded  to  Boston.  The  journey  was 
a  lonely  one,  and  tiresome.  My  days  now  were  all  event- 
ful ;  and  every  moment  seemed  to  bring  increased  cares 
and  anxieties.  Just  before  my  final  departure  for  Oregon, 
I  took  a  few  days  to  go  about  Boston,  and  solicit  from  the 
munificent,  contributions  to  my  funds,  which  I  feared 
would  be  inadequate  for  ray  purposes,  since  my  enemies, 
by  their  cuiming  and  cruelty,  had  made  so  frequent  drafts 
upon  them.  I  called  upon  a  wealthy  merchant  in  Beacon 
street.  It  was  in  the  afternoou  of  thanksgiving  day,  when 
4 


■  im  ! 
lu  la  ! 

'm 


WVx 


26 


ik'SJ 


m 


:ii: 


I  hoped  to  find  him  in  good  spirits,  and  disposed  to  make 
me  a  donation.  But  I  was  disappointed.  He  replied  to 
me  as  follows  :  «•  I  am  interested  in  the  commerce  of  the 
Pacific,  being  part  owner  in  two  ships  now  on  that  ocean. 
The  merchants  have  had  a  meeting,  and  are  determined  to 
prevent  your  breaking  up  their  trade  about  the  Pacific." 

Left  Boston  for  Oregon  the  first  of  November,  1832. 
Having  provided  a  vessel  for  the  party  and  the  transpor- 
tation of  my  eflects  to  New  York,  I  joined  the  party  in 
that  city ;  there  tarried  two  or  three  weeks,  occupying 
"what  was  called  the  parsonage  house,  in  Stuyvesant  street, 
with  the  party.  After  a  few  days  a  band  of  desperadoes 
at  midnight,  beset  the  house,  and  attempted  to  force  an 
entrance  :  first,  at  the  windows,  and  then  at  the  door,  but 
not  succeeding,  they  soon  hastened  away. 

A  short  time  after,  two  men  came  to  my  quarters,  one 
calling  his  name  Foster,  the  other  giving  his  as  Lovett. 
They  said  they  wished  to  migrate  to  Oregon ;  and  would 
like  to  accompany  me  thither ;  that  they  were  printers  by 
trade,  and  had  money  which  could  be  immediately  collected 
to  procure  outfits,  and  to  meet  expenses ;  and,  with  a  view 
of  giving  me  proof  of  their  sincerity^  took  me  to  a  printing 
office,  which  the}'  represented  as  the  place  of  tlieu'  busi.- 
ness.  They  were  well  dressed,  and  of  insinuating  manners. 
But  the  sequel  showed  them  to  be  accomplished  and  adroit 
villains,  ready  to  perform  any  act  allccting  my  person, 
plans,  or  property,  however  atrocious  or  hazardous.  They 
did  not  act  upon  their  own  responsibilit}',  but  received 
their  impulse  from  the  same  powerful  source,  whence  em- 
anated all  the  opposition.  It  was  an  additional  plot  so  to 
impoverish  me  as  to  prevent  any  further  advance  of  the 
enterprise;  or,  what  would  be  more  ellectual,  to  deprive 
me  of  life.  It  was  a  mistaken  idea ;  the  like,  however, 
often  comes  up  in  the  minds  of  wicked  worldlings,  that  to 
take  from  me  ni}'  earthly  substance  would  be  taking  means 
essential  to  the  accomplishment  of  my  heaven-planned 
undertakings. 

Learning  that  a  vessel  >vas  about  to  sail  for  the  Sandwich 
Islands,  I  applied  to  the  benevolent  owner  for  a  passage 
thither,  for  a  sou  of  mine  belonging  to  the  party.  A  free  pas- 
sage was  at  once  generously  od'ered  him.  As  he  was  of 
tender  years,  and  fearing  that  he  v   uld  not  well  endure  the 


87 


mclwich 
passage 
I'cc  pas- 
was  of 
lure  the 


fatigues  of  the  land  route,  I  was  glad  of  the  chance  to  i^ro- 
vide  for  him  a  sea  voyage.  He  was  to  wait  at  tiie  Islands, 
until  my  arrival  with  the  party  from  Acapulco. 

The  party,  with  my  eflects,  embarked  for  New  Orleans. 
Myself  proceeded  to  Washington,  where  I  was  the  recipi- 
ent of  many  favors  and  of  further  pul)lic  encouragement 
and  patronage ;  and  of  facilities  and  tlie'good  wishes  gen- 
erally of  my  countrymen  in  that  city.  I  left  Washington 
the  first  of  March,  1833,  for  the  land  of  my  hopes;  pro- 
ceeding by  the  Cumberland  road,  and  the  Ohio  and  Mis- 
sissippi rivers.  At  New  Orleans  I  again  met  the  party, 
provided  with  good  quarters  at  my  expense.  Here,  too, 
I  found  that  same  spirit  wliich  had  opposed  every  previous 
step  of  my  ])rogress,  busily  at  work,  devising  every  man- 
ner of  ev^il  aofainst  me. 

Two  of  the  party,  Avho  a  few  days  before  leaving  New 
York,  were  known  to  be  destitute  of  money,  and  poorly 
clad,  whose  passage  I  had  paid,  were  now  found  dressed 
in  new  and  costly  apparel,  and  had  plcnt}*  of  money. 
Without  the  remotest  cause  of  action,  they  brought,  one 
after  another,  suits  at  law  against  me,  until  I  was  har- 
rasscd  with  live  such  cases.  The  Foster  and  Lovctt  who 
joined  the  party  in  New  York,  resorted  to  acts  of  felon}^ 
forging  several  papers ;  one,  a  draft  of  fifteen  hundred 
dollars  in  my  favor  on  J.  Ogden,  a  wealthy  merchant  of 
New  Orleans,  purporting  to  have  been  drawn  by  a  friend 
of  mine  in  Wall  street,  New  York.  It  was  enclosed  in  a 
letter  and  lodged  in  the  post-olfice  at  that  place ;  the  letter 
bearing  the  appearance  of  having  been  forwardecl  by  one 
"J.  Ames."  The  following  is  a  true  copy  of  the  letter 
and  di'aft : 


New  Yoric,  March  7.  1833. 

Deak  Sir  : — You  are  authorized  by  me  to  purchase  of 
J.  Ogden  goods  to  the  amount  of  fifteen  hundred  dollars, 
for  the  Oregon  exepdition.  Purchase  such  goods  as  you 
think  will  best  suit  the  Oregon  market.  Below  is  the 
order  for  the  receipt  of  the  goods. 

I  remain  yours  &c. 

ROBERT  ELWELL. 


il 


!  M- 


IMi 


m.. 


28 

Mr.  J.  Odgen  : 

Sir; — Please  deliver  the  bearer,  Hall  J.  Kelly, 
goods  to  the  amount  of  fii'teen  hundred  dollars,  and  draw 
on  me  for  the  same. 

ROBERT  EL  WELL.   • 
JVew  York,  Mhrch  7,  1833, 

By  means  such  as  this  tiioy  hoped  to  fix  the  sti,iiT»^i  of 
crime  upon  me,  and  procure  my  incar'XM.atioii ;  but  tailinf^, 
they  tried  another  expedient  to  accc/Uiplish  their  ultimate 
object.  It  was  to  deprive  me  entirely  of  property ;  thus, 
they  supposed  x  should  I^e  induced  to  return  to  New  Eng- 
land, and  abandon  the  en."^crprise.  Getting  acccsjis  to  my 
property  in  storage,  the^^  stole  over  a  thousand  dollars  of 
it,  and  stai-ted  with  it  for  Texas.  Fortunately,  they  were 
on  the  same  day  overtaken,  brought  back,  examined  before 
Judge  Perval,  and  with  the  crime  of  larceny  labeled  to 
theii'  character,  were  committed  to  prison,  where,  doubt- 
less, it  was  the  divine  purpose  they  should  realize  a  por- 
tion of  the  reward  of  evil  doers.  After  a  day  and  night 
imprisonment,  they  sent  for  me.  My  ears  being  ever 
open  to  the  cries  of  distress,  whether  of  the  human  or  the 
brute  race,  I  hastened  to  the  window  lookina"  into  the  i:)lace 
of  their  "torment."  They  besought  me  Avith  tears,  to 
intercede  in  their  behalf,  and  obtain  their  release.  I  did 
so,  importuning  the  public  authority  which  had  conmiitted 
them,  and  they  were  released.  Aly  enemies — bitterest 
enemies,  have  alwajs  my  good  wishes  and  compassionate 
regards.  Notwithstanding  their  grave  pretensions  to  pen- 
itence and  sorrow,  being  somewhat  versed  in  the  book  of 
man's  depraved  nature,  and  endowed  with  at  least  a  mod- 
erate degree  of  penetrating  knowledge  of  the  human  char- 
acter, I  could  read  them,  and  understand  what  was  meant, 
and  therefore  required  from  them  a  writt^.n  confession  of 
their  guilt.  They  gave  it,  thougli  reluctantly,  solemnly 
pledging  never  again  to  trouble  me,  then  left,  but  not  to 
keep  their  pledge.  Straightway,  using  the  freedom  which 
humanity  had  just  given  them,  they  proceeded  to  carry 
out  new  plans  and  plots  of  treachery  and  revenge. 

By  anonymous  letter  and  other  ways  I  Avas  threatened 
with  assassination,  did  I  not  hasten  from  New  Orleans. 
The  following  is  a  copy  of  one  of  the  letters  : 


:•  f';!!i::li!r 


80 


New  Orleans,  March  27th,  1833. 
Deau  Siu  : — I  acclclentaly  overheard  yesterday,  some  of 
your  Ori<^oii  company  forming?  a  consiJiricy  against  you, 
and  are  determined  to  take  your  I  Ho  cither  by  some  means  or 
other,  others  thought  it  would  be  most  too  rash  an  act  and 
had  better  take  you  up  for  swindling,  an'^  that  they  con- 
sidered a  very  easy  matter  according  to  the  lawyers 
account.  I  am  rcaly  allVaid  that  yom'  lite  is  very  much  at 
stake,  and  now  take  my  advise,  and  leave  the  country  as 
soon  as  possible  if  you  Avant  to  come  olF  with  a  sound 
head.  .    I  remain, 

A  frnd. 


■i.'-S| 


jateucd 
Irleaus. 


Those  two  blood-thirsty  pursuers,  finding  a  vessel  ready 
to  sail  for  Vera  Cruz,  in  conformity,  doubtless,  to  the 
counsel  of  others  in  connivance,  eml)arked  for  that  port ; 
there,  to  lie  in  wait,  and  desti'oy  me  if  they  could.  IJefore 
sailing,  having  had  permission  to  enter  the  store  house 
where  my  elFeets  were  deposited,  and  receive  a  chest  be- 
longing to  one  of  them,  notwithstanding  their  solemn 
pledge  to  cease  from  troubling,  they  managed  to  abstract 
from  my  packages  a  chest  similar  in  appearance  to  theirs, 
packed  with  articles  designed  for  Indian  presents,  of  the 
value  of  over  $200,  leaving  their  own,  which  contained 
nothing  of  value,  in  its  stead.  I  was  present,  l>ut  being 
near-sighted,  and  my  mind  filled  with  anxieties.  ^  did  not, 
at  the  hurried  moment,  notice  the  dillerenco  be',\?.nthem. 

I  was  surprised,  but  not  frightened  at  this  threatening 
asi^ect  of  the  enemy's  power.  Finding  a  spirit  to  vex  and 
to  destroy  me  infected  most  of  the  part}-,  I  gladly  dismissed 
them  all,  and,  having  adjusted  my  business  as  best  I  could, 
I  seciu'cd  a  passage  to  Vera  Cruz  in  ihe  schooner  Gen. 
Lafayette,  Capt.  Iloyt. 

Here  new  actors  appeared  in  this  persecuting  scheme, 
and  an  attempt  was  made  to  prevent  my  embarkation. 
The  Capt.  had  suddenly  changed  the  day  for  putting  to 
sea,  having  determined  to  sail  earlier  than  the  time 
appointed  for  that  purpose.  Although  my  goods  were 
brought  to  the  levee  agreeal)le  to  a  previous  understanding, 
and  the  freight  had  already  been  paid,  he  refused  to  re- 
ceive them.  I  was  not  to  be  foiled  in  that  way.  Being 
cramped  for  time,  a  few  half  dollars  from  my  pocket 
brought  aid  from  the  by-standcrs,  and  my  effects  were 


'  '^',' 


30 


rushed  on  board,  with  the  oxception  of  u1)out  two  hundred 
dolhu'S  wortli,  including  tlio  body  and  hind  wheels  of  a 
wagon,  which  were  loft  and  lost. 

As  the  vessel  was  leaving  her  moorings,  seizing  the  last 
opportunity,  I  leaped  on  deck,  there  to  endure  still  greater 
indignities  and  sullerings  than  had  been  experienced  on 
shore. 

I  will  not  stop  to  mention  all  that  I  sullered  on  that  pas- 
sage. During  most  of  the  voyage  the  sea  was  boisterous, 
and  the  heavens  were  darkened  with  clouds  and  storms. 
Although  I  had  purchased  as  good  accommodations  as  the 
schooner  ailbrdcd,  yet  was  I  denied  a  retreat  to  ^  place 
not  open  to  the  angry  heavens.     No  reasoning,  peals 

to  justice  or  mercy,  could  abate  the  rigor  of  tu.^  orutal 
treatment.  Fourteen  days  and  nights  I  lay  on  the 
quarter  deck,  terribly  sea-sick,  and  exposed  to  the  worst 
of  weather,  sometimes  drenched  in  salt  Avatcr,  and  again 
in  fresh.  A  portion  of  my  freight  remained  on  deck  by 
the  side  of  the  bulwarks,  exposed  to  the  breach-making 
sea.  Tliis  miich  was  greatly  injured,  so  that  a  part  having 
lost  its  value  was  thrown  overboard,  and  a  part  less  in- 
jured was  given  to  the  poor  at  Vera  Cruz.  The  language 
of  the  Capt.  was  uniformly  abusive,  and  his  whole  conduct 
unfeeling  towards  me  ;  so  much  so,  that  1  could  not  then 
doubt,  nor  have  I  ever  since  doubted  but  as  a  hireling  he 
was  serving  the  interests  of  those  whose  object  it  had  been 
for  nine  years  to  crush  my  enterprise  and  prevent  the  set- 
tlement of  Oregon  ;  I  say  the  settlement  of  Oregon. 

Something  more  should  be  said  of  the  captain.  He 
was  illiterate,  ill-bred,  ill-tempered,  and  intemperate,  also. 
In  a  dead  calm,  when  everything  appearetl  listless,  and 
almost  lifeless,  and  scarcely  wind  enough  to  blow  a  feather 
from  the  round  top,  he  lay  stretched  in  one  corner  of  the 
quarter-deck,  seemingly  in  slumber.  He  was  called,  and 
called  again  to  dinner — tm-ns  a  little,  gapes  and  sighs,  but 
makes  no  answer.  The  sailors  said,  let  him  alone,  he  will 
get  over  it.  Often  with  the  brazen  and  vacant  look  of  an 
ignorant  man  did  he  approach  to  insult  me. 
was  uniformly  abusive,  and  his  conduct  unfeeling. 

An  occurrence  happening  on  the  2d  day  of  May,  nearly 
proved  fatal  to  the  vessel  and  the  lives  of  all  on  board.  At 
early  dawn,  a  Spanish  gentleman,  comini;  on  deck,  cried 


His  language 


out,  "land!  laud!"    Our  frail  bark  was  fast 


nearing 


the 


§ 


31 


rocky  shore,  which  was  not  more  than  50  or  75  rods  dis- 
tant. Fortunately,  the  fog,  which  had  enveloped  it,  was 
now  risinjv.  Tlie  helmsman  had  just  time  to  wear  ship, 
and  save  boiii<^  dashed  upon  the  rocks.  A  similar  occur- 
rence happened  on  the  10th.  In  the  evening,  returning 
from  a  trip  to  or  near  the  bay  of  Campcche,  while  the 
captain  was  in  one  of  his  stupefactions,  we  heard  the 
breakers  roar  and  could  see  their  foaming  crests.  They  were 
close  by  on  the  lee  bow.  The  mate  wears  about  and  goes 
to  sea.  The  captain,  who  was  in  Iiis  berth,  being  inform- 
ed, raised  himself  partly  up,  and  said  "I  can't  help  it," 
and  fell  back.  The  mate  was  a  sober,  active  and  under- 
standing man.  Deplorable  must  have  been  our  condition 
had  this  valuable  officer,  second  in  command  in  the  fore 
part,  and  fiJ'st  in  the  alter  pai't  of  the  day,  been  drunk  I 
dead  drunk ! 

On  the  11th,  the  schooner  entered  the  bay  of  Vera  Cruz, 
and  anchored  under  the  guns  of  Fort  St.  Juan  de  Ulloa. 
[SeeAppendix  K.]  I  now  left  the  captain,  but  he  was  not 
quite  ready  to  leave  me,  nor  to  le^ivc  the  object  of  wasting 
my  property.  He  had  not  fully  accomplished  the  business 
with  which  he  was  charged. 

Landing  at  the  port  of  Vera  Cruz,  Lovett,  the  treacher- 
ous actor  at  New  Orleans,  called  on  me  to  oiler  his  greet- 
ing, and  to  tender  his  services  in  repacking  my  cilects, 
and  i)reparing  for  my  early  departure  from  that  place  of 
pestilence  and  death.  His  countenance  was  pleasant,  but 
I  could  still  read  in  it  the  Avicked  emotions  of  his  heart. 
Though  he  seemed  to  come  to  kiss,  yd  his  object  was  to 
betray,  and  to  execute  upon  me  the  bloody  deed,  which 
the  revengeful  spirit  of  himself  and  accomplice  was  hurry- 
ing them  to  do.  His  cunning  and  insinuating  manner 
drew  to  him  some  friends,  and  there  were  some  about  him, 
friends  to  nobody.  To  have  suggested  to  others  my  bad 
opinion  of  him  would  have  exposed  myself  at  that  time  to 
the  assassin's  power.  Indeed,  being  privately  reminded 
of  ingratitude  at  the  time  of  his  embarkation  at  New  Or- 
leans,  his  jealousy  was  aroused,  and  he  told  me,  with 
gi'cat  emphasis,  it  I  named  any  circumstance  exposing  his 
character  in  that  place,  I  nmst  do  all  my  repenting  at  Vera 
Cruz,  and  be  ])reparcd  for  the  worst  results.  However, 
not  intimidated,  I  gave  hiir^  wholesome  advice,  forbade  his 
taking  a  step  with  me  into  the  interior,  or  traveling  the 


same  road  the  same  day',  and  requested  him  to  rotuni  im- 
mediately to  a  land  of  laws,  and  to  his  mad  and  unsuccess- 
ful employer's.  In  view  of  this  tlu'eateuiu":  aspect  of 
things,  I  was  hot  wanting  in  circumspection  and  civilities, 
both  in  regard  to  this  villain,  the  ciptahi,  andtlieu-  accom- 
plices. 

Soon  after  my  arrival,  a  snare  was  laid  by  him,  which 
he  and  a  colored  man,  his  associate,  were  unahle  to  si)ring 
upon  me  ;  artfully  attemjiting  to  draw  me  into  a  dark  hole 
in  the  city,  unque-^tionably  with  the  design  of  taking  my 
life.  I  will  not  delay  to  particularize  as  to  this,  his  mur- 
derous plot.  This  monster  villain,  soon  after  my  departure 
from  that  place,  w'as  seized  with  the  black  vomit,  and  in  a 
few  days  there  was  the  end  of  one  "by  whom  oU'ences 
come.' 

The  following  transactions  seemed  to  indicate  that  the 
captain  and  the  oificers  of  the  customs  were  each  to  share 
in  the  plunder  of  my  proi^ei-ty.  Some  days  after  the  cargo 
of  the  vessel  was  discharged,  one  of  the  sailors  informed 
me  that  a  package  of  my  stulf  was  found  conc»3aled  under 
old  rigglug  in  the  hold.-  It  consisted  of  such  pieces  and 
remnants  of  cotton  and  woolen  fabrics  as  would  be  useful 
to  me  iu  Oregon,  and  was  worth  from  $100  to  $150.  My 
anxiety  was  to  know  how  to  get  possession  of  the  goods 
without  prejudice  to  my  character.  I  had  no  disposition 
to  smuggle,  or  to  do  a  dishonorable  act.  To  bring  it  pub- 
licly on  shore,  it  was  said,  would  endanger  the  vessel;  or 
to  bring  it  clandestinely,  would  allbrd  a  plausible  reason 
for  supposing  ii  merchandise  for  that  market,  which  was 
far  from  being  the  fact.  I  was  told,  that,  for  a  reward,  a 
custom  house  officer  \vould  bring  the  package  to  me.  An 
engagement  Avas  made.  The  propei.y  was  brought  be- 
tAveen  two  suns,  and  left  at  the  place  appointed,  and  twen- 
ty silver  dollars  were  paid  ft)r  doing  the  business.  It 
appeared  like  a  fair  and  legal  transaction,  but,  with  the 
officer,  it  was  smuggling,  under  revenue  laws  made  and 
provided  for  that  purpose.  All  along  have  I  been  vexed 
and  brought  to  suffer  losses  of  property,  all  to  prevent 
progr^iss  in  my  '>rogon  enterprise. 

Tlic  losses  fit  New  Orleans,  including  what  the  corrupted 
men  of  my  party  caused  me  to  expend  at  that  place,  in 
lawsuits,  and  what,  from  necessity,  was  left  on  shore  at 
the  moment  of  my  re-embarkation  ;  and  also,  what  the  two 


■j^^i^^ 


58 


aliore  at 
the  two 


teloiis,  released  through  my  inerciiul  feelings  trom  prison, 
cairied  away,  amounted  to  several  hundred  dollars.  [See 
Chap.  I.,  p.  7.]  The  damaged  property  thrown  over- 
board from  the  vessel  whieh  carried  me  on  her  (juarter- 
deck,  during  reniarkable  extremes  of  weather,  across  the 
Gulf  of  Mexico,  added  to  that  which  was  stored  in  the 
cus^^^om  house  at  Vera  Cruz,  and  of  whici)  I  was  plundered 
by  Mexican  ofiicors,  in  connivance  with  corUun  American 
citizens,  was  a  very  considerable  amount,  and  mu(!h  more 
than  I  was  willing  to  lose  at  .hat  stag*;  of  the  progress  of 
the  enterprise. 

Here,  though  it  be  a  digression,  I  would  ask.  what  un- 
derstiindiug  man  cannot  perceive,  from  the  beginning, 
rebbery  and  bloody  pur|)ose8,  and  plans  fraught  with 
crime  by  those  of  my  countrymen  seivlug  tho  interests  ot 
the  Hudson  Bay  (yom))any. 

On  landing,  having  engager'  boarding  quarters,  i.:id  got 
my  pass|)ort»  «nu«MHcd  by  proper  authorities,  \  turned  my 
thoughts  to  my  b!>.i''gagej  which  was  of  inuch  value,  a  por 
tion  of  it  needful  for  present  use.  Some  of  it  was  in  loose 
packages.  Most  of  it  was  place<l  in  the  <!Ustom  house  for 
safe  keeping,  until  my  departure  tiien<;e,  agreeable  to  the 
advice  of  the  American  consul.  In  view  of  my  ill  health, 
^  mely  condition  and  the  distracted  state  of  pul^iic  allairs 
m  that  country,  he  thought  it  would  be  iu\safe  at  the  hotel. 
Unskilled  at  that  time  in  the  Spanish  language,  I  had  no 
direct  conuuunicatiou  with  the  ■•  "eime  officers,  but  it  was 
understood  on  my  part,  and  also,  I  supi)osed,  on  the  pail 
of  the  consul,  that  it  would  br  Kuidily  and  freely  given  up 
when  called  for.  The  voyage  had  reduciid  me  to  great 
physical  debility,  so  that  at  the  time  of  landing,  I  had  only 
strength  enough  to  get  from  my  quarters  on  the  (juartor- 
deck,  to  quarters  in  the  city. 

It  was  the  sickly  season,  when  strangers  from  othei* 
clin)at(5s  felt  faint  and  languiil,  and  scarcely  able  to  trans- 
act business.  Notwithstanding  tii<3  feebU;  stat<i  of  my 
het*ith,  and  the  importance  of  my  hastening  from  the  place, 
w'th  the  hope  of  obtaining  some  indenniity  f-om  tho  cap- 
tain tor  my  losses,  which  h(5  had  carelessly  or  wantonly 
caused  me,  [  dehiyed  my  depaiture  oviu"  two  weeks. 

After  landing,  I  deiayed  no  time  to  (!ompluin  to  the 
American  consul,  as  was  my  jjrivilege  to  <lo  concerning 
troubles  with  the  captain,  hit    unkind  treatment,  and  the 


i^':*: 


m-' 


I 


34 


waste  ot  my  property.  Subsequently,  a  written  statement 
of  the  facts  was  given  him,  but  he  seemed  dull  of  hearing, 
and  unwilling  to  exercise,  in  my  behalf,  his  consulate 
authority,  as  though  I  was  an  outlaw,  fleeing  from  my  own 
to  that  foreign  country,  and  had  forfeited  all  benefit  of 
public  protection.  However,  he  said  he  would  do  all  he 
03uld  for  me.  I  should  have  passed  in  silence  the  injuries 
done  mo  by  the  captain  and  hastened  on  my  journey,  and 
had  been  under  no  necessity  of  i)lacing  my  eltects  in  the 
custom  house ;  but  recent  encounters  with  the  pursuing 
enemy  had  reduced  my  strength  almost  to  prostration,  and 
rendered  needful  a  few  days'  rest.  It  did  not  occur  at  that 
time  of  troubles,  as  to  the  convenience  of  taking  the  prop- 
erty into  some  building  of  his.  Had  the  favor  been  asked, 
1  have  some  reason  to  believe  it  would  have  been  i*cfused. 

I  came  to  that  city  at  the  imminent  peril  of  life,  and  no 
less  hazardous  was  my  sojourn  theie.  From  lioston  to 
Vera  Cruz  I  had  been  the  victim  of  a  ruthless  persecution. 
Having  esca])ed  the  enemy  which  had  ]>ursucd  me  thither, 
I  had  to  encounter  aiiother  enemy  more  dreadful  in  con- 
flict, viz  :  the  poisonous  atmosj)hcre  of  a  filtliy  city. 

So  frequent  and  heavy  were  t\w  blows  I  received  from 
my  pui*suers ;  so  terrible  were  the  exi)osures  I  was  com- 
pelled to  endure,  and  so  many  gloomy  clouds  enshrouded 
the  object  uj)on  which  my  heart  was  immovably  fixed, 
that  my  enlecbled  nervous  systcMn  could  not  endure  such 
repeated  and  dreadful  shocks,  and  I  almost  sank  under  the 
weight  of  my  calamities. 

In  the  store  of  James  Culler,  v?-.  Co.  T  discovered,  dis- 
played ui)on  the  counter,  the  identical  aiticlcs  which  Foster 
and  Lovett  stole  from  me  at  the  time  of  their  leaving  New 
Orleans.  I  laid  claim  to  thern,  but  was  told  by  the  consul 
that  $1G8  duty  had  been  jjaid,  and  by  paying  which  I  could 
have  the  goods.  I  had  been  8i>  plundered  1  had  not  funds 
to  part  with,  and  chose  to  suller  the  loss. 

Finding  myself  daily  becoming  more  enfeebled,  and  fast 
sinking  into  the  gitisp  of  the  endemic  destroyer,  I  hastened 
arrangements  foi-  resuming  the  journey,  and  called  for  the 
property  deposited  in  the  custom  house.  To  my  surprise, 
it  was  refused,  on  the  ground  of  a  requisition  of  custom 
house  duties.  [App.  M.]  1  had  never,  at  home  or  abroad, 
declined  to  render  "unto  Crosar  the  things  that  were 
CtcBar's,"  but  to  pay  a  tax  in  Mexico  on  property  notduti- 


35 


able,  1  unhesitatingly  declined  to  do.  A  bond  wc-v.ld 
have  been  given,  if  requested,  guai-ding  against  the  sale  of 
so  much  as  a  single  article  in  that  country ;  but  that  was 
not  the  thing.  The  object  was  to  plunder ;  and  both  the 
consul  and  the  revenue  oflicers  seemed  leagued  to  stop  my 
progress ;  to  turn  me  back  and  induce  the  entire  abandon- 
ment ot  my  heart-devised,  heaitfelt  and  heart-detenu iued 
project  (once  called  by  public  men  a  noble  project;  a  phi- 
lanthropic enterprise ;  a  stupendous  umlei'taking ;  but  in 
*32,  the  year  of  my  depaiiure  for  Oregon,  called  by  a  cer- 
tain few  in  high  places,  strange  it  was,  an  *^  idle  project"). 

After  several  days  of  entreaty,  through  the  consul,  ex- 
plaining the  object  of  my  journey,  giving  my  reasons  for 
taking  that  circuitous  route  to  Oregon,  and  presenting  the 
passport  from  the  State  Department  of  the  United  States, 
the  cupidity  of  the  revemie  oHicers  relaxed  a  little,  and  I 
was  permitted  to  select  four  nnokages  from  the  eight.  I 
took  such  Bs  cctained  vvearii  >  ii  el,  defensive  weapons, 

Indian  presents,  &c.  Theanio.  i  liutic,  demanded  was 
nearly  the  invoice  value  of  the  property.  By  what  rule  of 
calculation,  or  principle  of  right  they  uad  fixed  ujion  any 
specilic  amount  of  tax,  or  had  taxed  at  aii,  I  could  not 
understand.  The  schedule  gave  only  a  description  of  tho 
packages,  but  nothing  in  particular  in  regard  to  tluur  con- 
tents, and  when  the  selection  was  made,  I  discovcied  no 
appearance  of  their  having  been  opened. 

One  of  the  packages  retained  in  the  custom  house  was 
a  large  chest  containing  a  full  set  of  tlie  laws  of  the  Unit<>d 
States,  and  such  books  of  my  library  as  might  b«'  iso 
during  my  intended  sojourn  in  the  Oregon  teiiaory. 
Among  those  books  was  a  rare  and  expensive  work,  called 
the  Di<;tionary  of  Natural  Science ;  the  most  comprehen- 
sive of  the  kind  within  my  knowledge.  The  chest  itself 
was  a  relic  of  my  ancestoi*s.  Both  were  invaluable  to  me, 
and  I  grieve  at  the  loss. 

Most  of  the  property  had  been  purchased  in  New  York 
lor  the  purposes  already  stated ;  tor  the  f  uiUierance  of  an 
enterprise  encouraged  by  the  public  authorities  of  my  own 
country,  and  planned  for  the  good  of  all  nations.  It  was 
to  be  transpoi-ted  in  like  manner  with  the  change  of  gar- 
ments for  covering  my  pei-son.  From  Vera  Cruz  it  was 
to  be  borne  to  Acapu'oo,  there  to  bo  resliipped  to  the 
place  of  ita  o;iginal  destination.     No  package  was  intended 


IP 


36 


to  be  opened  in  all  its  transit  through  the  Mexican  do- 
mains, unless  for  personal  use.  The  ])roperty,  I  do  not 
hesitate  to  repeat,  was  not  dutiable  under  that  government. 
The  very  fa(!t  of  revenue  ollicers  being  the  jjersons  nho 
brought  on  shoje  the  stolen  jjortions  of  it,  supposes  it  not 
dutiable. 

A  desire  to  advanee  the  intx^.rests  of  that  unenlighlxined 
and  ill-fated  jieople  induced  my  journey  thither;  and 
while  attempting  to  acattei-  light  in  their  dark  villages  and 
cities,  I  llincbed  from  no  hardship,  and  turned  from  no 
peril. 

In  the  proper  construction  of  the  pa8S]^ort  furnishcid  me 
by  the  State  De])artment  of  the  U.  S.  A.,  protection  should 
have  been  given  both  to  my  ))crs()n  and  property.  But 
protection  was  given  to  neither.  I  had  to  rely  on  my  own 
arm,  directed  and  strengthimed  by  the  Almighty.  These 
motives  and  duties  Impose  obligations,  somewhere,  to  in- 
demnify for  losses  caused  by  the  public  and  private  I'ob- 
bers  of  Mexico.  I  appeal  to  any  candid  and  sensible  man, 
whethei'  American  or  Mexican,  if  it  was  dealing  Justly 
with  me  to  demand  ti'ibute  for  no  other  reason  than  fliatof 
my  journeying  through  a  land  which  was  being  desolated 
with  civil  war,  and  where  the  govermnent  was  leeble,  and 
without  means  to  '•:uard  the  rights  of  the  Aveary  and  way- 
faring traveler. 

I  left  Vera  C'ruz  by  the  stfige,  for  Jalapa  on  the  27th. 
The  day  following  com])U>ted  an  exchange  of  one  ot  the 
moBt  sickly  for  one  of  the  most  healthful  cities  in  Noith 
America. 

I  seized  the  carli-'st  convenient  moment,  alter  my  arrival 
at  that  place,  to  address  a  lettei-  to  Mi".  IJutler,  our  Minis- 
ter at  the  seat  of  govei-nmcnt,  asking  him  to  int(ui)ose  in 
my  behalf,  and  obtain,  if  he  ■)ul(l,  the  release  of  the  prop- 
erty, so  wrongfully  withhclti  in  the  custom  house  at  Vera 
Cruz.  He  promptly  appli(<l  to  the  Minist-er  of  Finance, 
and  was  told  it  i-hould  be  given  up  as  soon  as  papers  were 
received  from  that  ]>la(!c.  I  tarried  here  eighteen  days, 
making  daily  excursions  into  the  country,  examining  mi- 
nutely every  variety  of  plants,  shrubs,  and  trees,  and  also, 
whatsociver  was  new  t-o  me  and  (ionie  under  my  observa- 
tion, belonging  to  the  mineral  kingdom,  and  the  ]ihysicAl 
aspect  of  the  country.  I  passed  two  days  in  exploiingthe 
region  about  what  is  called  Table  mountain.     1  ascended  to 


37 


I'ival 


the  open  summit  ol  a  high  swell  of  land,  and  there,  near  and 
in  view  of  that  mountain  where  the  ancients  of  that  portion 
of  the  country  were  wont  to  woi*ship  their  idol  Gods,  did  I 
worsliip,  offering  praise  and  prayer  to  the  only  true  and 
living  God,  as  when,  ever  after,  in  the  solitude  of  the 
mountain-top,  it  was  my  devout  practice  to  do. 

From  Jalapa,  having  ordered  my  baggage  to  be  for- 
wai-ded  by  stage,  I  proceeded,  on  foot,  to  Puebla,  and 
after  three  days,  left  that  city  by  the  stage  for  the  metrop- 
olis of  the  country. 

The  two  villains,  Lovctt  and  Foster,  who  troubled  me 
so  much  at  Mew  Orleans,  immediately  after  their  arrival  at 
Vera  (yruz,  separated ;  one  remained  to  pcrfonn  at  that 
place,  the  other  hastened  to  the  City  of  Mexico,  there  to 
lay  in  wait  for  my  coming. 

Almost  the  first  man  I  met  with  Avas  Foster.  He  ap- 
peared penitent,  and  glad  to  see  me,  and  promised  to 
trouble  me  no  more.  He  had  taken  boarding  at  the  stage 
house.  For  reasons  I  have  not  now  time  to  state,  I  took 
boai'ding  for  a  few  dajs  at  the  same  place.  At  a  moment 
of  my  absence,  Foster  got  access  to  my  pa]iers,  and 
abstracto!  therefrom  a  paj^er  which  he  and  Lovett  had 
given  me  at  New  Orleans,  confessing  their  guilt}'  '  onduct 
in  that  city. 

For  reasons  I  will  not  now  assign,  [Apj).  N.]  I  shall 
omit  to  nan-ate  all  that  came  ^^'  my  experience,  and  under 
my  observation,  in  that  city  and  onward  ;  have  time  to  say 
but  little  more  than  what  pei-tains  to  the  troubling  by  Fos- 
t,er  and  his  associates.  He  had  come  thither  jy  stage,*  and 
had  also  fciken  boarding,  both  at  my  expense  ;  taking  ad- 
vantage of  some  piinted  documents  and  papers  of  mine 
whi(!h  he  had  in  his  possession. 

♦In  the  year  1S.'10,  tliree  cntorpriBing  Yankt-t-a  from  New  Kngland,  much  to  the  as- 
tonlshnient  ul'  the  MexioiiiiH,  establlahed  a  line  ot  xtaMeti  between  Verii  Cruz  and  the 
{;ity  of  Mexico.  '1  heir  liorsea  were  purchafod,  and  their  carriagea  manufactured  in 
rennaylvanla.  After  a  few  niontha,  a  company  of  MexlcHni<  got  up  an  oi'pualtion  line, 
which,  before  ttie  end  of  a  year,  broke  down,  owing  chiilly  lo  the  inferiority  of  tlieir 
horaeg  and  cnrriiigea. 

Mkxiuan  1£(iai)8.— Tlie  chief  defects  of  the  ronda  were  the  broken  pavemcnta,  (a 
portion  of  them  Honie  yeara  previous  had  been  paved,  pilea  of  atone  In  the  traveled 
path,  and  deep-worn  tracka  of  OHrriage  wheels.)  A  aniail  exj.enae,  comparatively, 
would  have  put  the  road  from  Vera  Cruz  to  Mexico  In  good  condition  ;  but  It  ■  as  the 
policy  of  the  proprietors  of  the  preaent  line  to  keep  it  in  its  preaent  bud  condition.  In 
order  to  diacourage  competition  in  Ihelr  buslnesa  of  singing.  Jt  would  be  ruinous  for 
»  company  to  atlei;  pt  an  oppoaltion,  using  ll.e  Mexican  heavy  and  lumbering  car- 
riagea;  for  while  audi  would  at  once  break  ao>\n,  the  American  carriages,  lighter  and 
Ixitter  constructed,  would  ^uatain  but  little  damage. 

These  three  New  Knglanders,  among  the  moat  augacloua  of  Yankees,  At  the  end  of 
three  years,  while  I  was  In  the  city,  sold  out  lo  some  Mexicans,  aud  divided  the  stock 
and  proHts  in  the  business,  each  receiving  •76,000, 


ntf 


i      '  :  I 


N 


38 

The  keeper  of  the  stage  house  demanded  of  me  $18  for  his 
board  three  weeks.  To  this  I  objected,  but  my  remonstrance 
availed  me  nothing  ;  I  must  pay  it,  or  suffer  a  loss  of  some  part 
of  my  effects,  which  that  unjust  and  unfeeling  foreigner  had  in 
storage.  One  of  the  stage  proprietors  demanded  of  me  $30 — 
Foster's  fare  from  Vera  Cruz  to  that  city — saying  I  was  his 
(Foster's)  partner  in  business.  I  replied  that  ho  had  made  an 
improper  use  of  my  name,  that  I  was  no  partner  of  his  and 
should  pay  none  of  his  debts ;  whereupon  I  was  abused  by  the 
proprietor — called,  in  the  presence  of  a  multitude  of  people,  a 
deceiver  and  a  swindler.  A  foreigner  (Plummer)  with  whom 
Foster  had  taken  quarters,  attached  my  baggage,  citing  me 
before  an  Alcelde  ^to  show  reasons  why  I  should  not  pay  him 
$32  on  his  boarder's  account.  Foster  at  the  same  time  made  a 
bold  attempt  to  get  from  me  a  valuable  portion  of  my  effects, 
which  he  claimed  as  his  own.  These  matters  were  laid  before  a 
magistrate,  and  the  property  was  restored  to  me. 

Those  were  perilous  and  troublesome  days  ;  yet  I  believe 
they  were  ordered  in  Infinite  wisdom,  and  were,  under  the  over- 
ruling hand  of  Divine  Providence,  for  my  highest  good.  Cir- 
cumstances render  it  necessary  to  be  brief,  and  to  hurry  on  to 
where  I  shall  speak  more  particularly  of  explorations  and  the 
settlement  of  Oregon. 

I  took  boarding  at  the  Washington  Hotel,  kept  by  Mr.  Orford, 
an  enterprising  man,  formerly  from  the  United  States,  the  only 
public  house,  with  the  exception  of  the  stage  house,  kept  for  for- 
eigners in  that  city.  Among  the  guests  there  were  Col.  Austin, 
the  founder  of  the  first  settlement  of  the  Americans  in  Texas, 
Col.  Hodgkiss  and  Gen.  Mason  from  Virginia,  and  several  other 
distinguished  Americans.  Their  purpose  in  that  country  was  t<> 
bring  about  the  annexation  of  Texas  to  the  United  States. 

July  12.  I  walked  to  St.  Nicholas,  the  beautiful  residei«ce 
of  James  S.  Wilcox,  Esq.,  the  American  Consul,  situated  on 
the  border  of  Lake  Chalco,  a  distance  of  four  leagues  from  the 
city.  On  my  arrival  I  was  informed  by  his  family  that  the  con- 
sul was  absent  in  the  city,  and  probably  would  not  return  till 
evening.  So  to  make  the  best  of  my  time,  I  walked  about  to 
examine  the  things  new  to  me  in  the  vicinity.  The  first  things 
that  attracted  my  attention  were  the  steep  hills  and  the  lofty 
mountains — the  prominent  things  that  marked  the  face  of  the 
whole  countiy.  At  half  a  mile  distant  from  the  buildings  was 
a  mountain  over  five  hundred  feet  in  height.  I  climbed  its 
steep  ascent.  Its  sides  were  covered  with  red,  volcanic  ashes, 
stained,  piobably,  with  oxido  of  iron,  and  other  minerals,  and 


ii  vi;i 


':!«!! 


89 


ed  ita 
ashes, 
aiui 


bestreifod  in  places  with  scoria.  In  the  summit  was  a  volcanic 
crater,  in  the  shape  of  a  tunnel,  of  nine  or  ten  rods  in  diameter 
at  the  opening.  Two  or  three  weeks  after  this,  I  again  ascend- 
ed the  mount,  and  by  a  trigonometrical  operation  ascertained  the 
elevation  of  several  other  mountains,  particularly  that  of  the  far 
distant  Orezava,  whose  sublime  top  was  distinctly  seen.  That 
mount,  the  second,  as  to  height,  in  the  country,  appeared  by 
the  measurement  I  had  made  of  it,  to  be  over  1(5,000  feet  above 
the  sea,  including  the  elevation  of  the  plain  of  Mexico.  As 
others  had  made  it,  my  measurement  was,  1  think,  but  a  near 
approximation  to  the  real  height.  The  base  line,  which  lay 
across  the  crater,  was  too  short  compared  with  another  side  ci 
the  triangle,  which  was  over  forty  miles  in  length,  and,  besides, 
my  theodolite  was  not  in  perfect  order. 

In  the  evening  the  consul  returned,  and  gave  me  a  hearty 
welcome.  I  was  treated  by  that  generous  countryman,  not  only 
with  politeness,  but  with  every  kind  attention.  After  two  days, 
I  left  to  look  after  my  affairs  in  the  city.  On  leaving,  he  invited 
me  to  come  and  pass  the  time  with  him  until  I  should  resume 
my  journey  onward.  I  did  so,  and  was  for  several  weeks  the 
recipient  of  the  most  generous  hospitality. 

After  a  month's  delay,  and  much  trouble,  I  received  two  pack- 
ages of  my  effects,  which,  when  at  Vera  Cruz,  I  had  ordered  to 
the  City  of  Mexico ;  they  had  been  over  twenty  days  on  the 
road.     The  freight  was  $25  for  300  pounds. 

It  is  astonishing  what  loads  the  cargodores,  or  porters,  in  that 
city,  can  carry.  One  of  the  packages  weighed  over  150  pounds, 
and  this  the  porter  carried  on  his  shoulders,  and  bore  to  me,  a 
distance  of  nearly  half  a  mile,  apparently  with  much  ease. 

A  week  after  my  arrival  in  the  city,  the  cholera,  in  its  fear- 
ful march  from  Canada,  through  the  United  States,  reached  the 
city. 

Concerning  it,  and  some  other  matters,  an  extract  from  my 
letter  to  J.  B.  Thornton,  dated  Aug.  24th,  1833,  will  show  : — 

"  I  am  making  arrangements  to  leave  immediately  for  San 
Bias,  expecting,  on  the  way,  no  protection  by  virtue  of  the  laws 
of  the  land ;  no  other  than  the  kind  which  vultiires  give  to 
lambs,  taking  and  devouring  them — no  other  earthly  security 
than  such  as  will  be  aflorded  by  unarmed  servants,  and  personal 
defensive  weapons. 

"  About  twenty  days  ago,  the  cholera,  in  its  fearful  and  deso- 
lating march,  reached  this  city,  and  has  slain  thousands.  In 
the  space  of  five  days,  four  thousand  persons  are  said  to  have 
died.    A  remedy  brought  with  me,  furnished  by  William  Dar- 


I 


1  it;.> 


40 


1 


lil 


I 


rah,  M.  D.,  Professor  of  Principles  and  Practice  of  Medi- 
cine in  Pennsylvania  Medical  College,  Philadelphia,  has 
saved,  it  is  believed,  the  lives  of  some  thousands  of  the 
higher  class  of  population.  For  the  poor  who  fill  the 
streets,  there  seems  no  escape  from  death.  Tlu'ir  condi- 
tion, and  that  of  those  in  all  the  villages,  is  truly  deplora- 
ble. Sleeping  upon  the  ground  between  rush  mats  or  filthy 
blankets,  without  physicians  or  medicines,  or  even  knowl- 
edge of  means  for  relief,  they  are  peculiarly  exposed  to  the 
terrible  destroyer.  The  work  of  death  goes  on  among 
them  unopposed.  Gen.  Santa  Anna  has  found  in  the  mon- 
ster a  formidable  enemy,  irresistible  in  attack,  and  cruel  in 
victory.  There  were  slain  by  that  foe,  near  Guadlajara, 
in  one  battle,  over  two  thousand  of  his  army ;  and  many 
who  escaped  are  panic  struck,  and  are  deseiling.  The 
patriotic  and  intrepid  general  is  making  a  new  draft,  and 
will  be  able,  I  trust,  to  put  down  his  veheWioua  fell m-citi- 
zmsy  though  Gen.  Arista  and  Col.  Duran  lead  them. 

*'The  civil  outbreaks  and  commotions  constantly  occur 
ring  in  Mexico  are  not  likely  to  result  in  any  beneficial 
ellects  to  the  people.     The  fundamental  priucii)les  of  gov- 
ernment must  be  dillerent,  more  in  harmony  with  the  prin 
ciples  of  Christianity.     The  policy  of  the  governing  powei- 
must  be  changed.     Under  present  circumstances,  while  the 
whole  nation  is  living  in  sottish  ignorance,  without  schools 
for  the  youth,   and    without  a   heavtni-taught   ministry, 
unenlightened  and  inexperienced,  as  to  practical  freedom 
and   the  blessipgs   of  Christian   civilization,    that  policy 
should  bo  more  ar))itrary,  and  the  government  less  repu-b 
lican. 

*'  When  the  consummation  of  the  happy  state  of  things 
comes, — and  would  to  God  it  would  speedily  come, — thai 
Mexico  is  regenerated ;  and  only  by  the  genei-al  diffusion 
of  education  and  useful  knowledge,  and  by  the  preaching 
of  the  gospel, — with  the  strongest  emphasis,  I  say,  by  the 
promulgation  of  the  religion  of  Jesus  Christ  in  its  pu,rity 
can  she  be  born  again.  Then  may  there  be  less  ai'bitrary 
sway,  and  more  freedom ;  then  bloody  internal  conttjsts 
will  cease,  the  rights  of  man  be  supported,  and  the  peace 
of  the  nation  great  and  enduring. 

<*  Mexico  should  have  more  light,  and  the  sympathy  of 
neighbors.     Other  nations  should  help  her.     It  would  be 


hi:  '-\ 


41 


right,  tiiat  hei"  elder  sister  republic,  the  powerful  and  opu- 
lent United  StateSj  should  help  her,  and  make  her  a  loan 
of  a  few  millions  of  money,  to  bo  applied  exclusively  in 
laying  the  foundation  of  freedom  just  described.  Unless 
such  a  foundation  is  laid  ;  and  the  monsters,  ignorance  and 
superstition,  are  driven  from  the  land,  political  delusions, 
clandestine  disorders,  war  and  bloodshed  and  human  suf- 
ferings will  continue  ;  and  she  will  remain  heathenish  and 
accursed,  even  unto  the  time  when  the  angel  of  God  will 
announce  to  the  world,  time  is  no  more." 

Vaccination. — T  received  from  the  benevolent  hands  of 
N.  R.  Smith,  M.  D.,  of  Baltimore,  and  William  Motion, 
M.  D.,  ot  Georgetown,  D.  C,  a  supply  of  vaccine  matter, 
which  was  carefully  applied  to  the  benefit  of  the  Indians  in 
the  ranches  near  the  city. 

I  lost  no  time,  neglected  no  opportunity,  relaxed  no  ef- 
fort to  do  the  good  I  had  purposed  to  do  in  that  country. 
T  engaged  in  no  idle  amusements ;  expended  not  so  much 
as  a  dollar  'for  that  which  is  nought;'  yet,  occasionally  I 
took  a  game  at  checkers  witii  my  distinguished  fellow- 
boarders  at  the  hotel,  and  once  did  I  attend  the  theatre  to 
witness  a  bull-fight,  and  learn  concerning  that  ancient,  bar- 
barous custom.  Neither  the  games  nor  the  visit  to  the 
theatre  Avere  without  some  benefit  to  me. 

Mr.  Butler  again  informed  me  of  his  being  unable  to 
ellect  anything  in  my  behalf  with  the  Government.  His 
frequent  notes  to  the  Minister  of  Finance  bring  him 
many  promises  for  an  interview,  but  no  opportunity.  See 
Mr.  Butler's  printed  correspondence  with  that  Govern- 
ment, in  the  State  Department  at  Washington.  The  time 
was  near  when  I  was  to  resume  my  journey  onward. 

Change  of  Route. — A  vessel  had  been  engaged  to  be 
at  Acapulco  at  a  ceitain  time,  to  take  myself  and  paily, 
with  my  circcts,  to  the  Sandwich  Islands.  The  party 
having  been  dismissed  at  New  Orleans,  having  been 
robbed  of  a  large  part  of  the  effects  deposited  in  the  cus- 
tom house  at  Vera  Cruz,  and  having  been  delayed  over 
two  months  at  the  City  of  Mexico,  I  found  it  impractica- 
ble to  be  in  season,  at  the  place  appointed.  These  and 
other  distressful  circumstances  induced  a  change  in  my 
route.  It  now  lay  through  the  country  direct  to  San 
Bias.  In  the  beginning  of  the  enterprise,  I  planned  to 
cross  the  continent  via.  St.  Louis,  and  to  make  a  transit  of 
6 


43 


the  mountains  at  the  southern  paBS,  so  called,  which  is  mi- 
nutely described  in  the  "Narrative  of  E.  D."  In  order  to 
effect  some  arranf^ement  with  the  Mexican  Government 
and  distinguished  individuals  in  that  country,  relative  to 
the  lumber  and  fish  trade,  &c.,  between  the  Columbia  Riv- 
er and  the  Mexican  western  ports ;  and  for  extending,  in 
proper  time,  my  colonizing  operations  into  High  Califor- 
nia; and,  also,  by  a  desire  of  tmning  the  attention  of  the 
people  in  the  cities  of  Mexico  to  some  better  system  of  ed- 
ucation than  had  ever  been  adopted  by  them  ;  and,  gene- 
rally, to  such  internal  improvements,  moral  and  physical, 
as  would  most  likely  lay  a  better  foundation  for  freedom, 
and  multiply  in  their  land  the  conveniences  and  comlorts 
of  life,  induced  this  circuitous  route  through  the  Mexican 
domains. 

My  objects  were  to  benefit  others  more  than  myself. 
Not  only  did  that  journey  subject  to  incredible  hardships 
and  sulferings,  but  gi-eatly  exposed  me  to  the  pursuing 
and  subtle  enemy.  At  New  Orleans  and  Vera  Cruz,  the 
hostile  troops  made  bold  and  fierce  attacks.  They,  there, 
almost  overcame  me.  And  so,  all  along  through  distract- 
ed Mexico,  did  they  closely  pm-sue  me ;  every  few  days 
did  they  force  me  into  hot  and  bloody  battles,  naking 
demonstrations  of  their  wrath.  On  page  14  it  is  seen  that 
in  the  year  1824  the  Hudson  Bay  Company  waged  their 
war  of  persecution ;  and  tlie  caudid  reader  will  see  how  ter- 
rible it  has  been.  On  my  part  it  has  been  "  the  good  fight 
of  faith,"  in  defence  of  life  and  libeily,  and  of  the  rights  of 
man,  and  in  the  cause  of  humanity.  No  moital  man  has 
fought  with  me ;  but  Christ  has  been  with  me ;  therefore 
have  they  not  triumphed. 

The  change  of  route,  spoken  of  above,  was,  I  think, 
providential.  It  afforded  me  an  opportunity  to  explore 
Indian  countries,  and  investigate  concerning  that  benighted 
and  oppressed  peoi)le. 

Just  before  leaving  the  city,  and  proceeding  onward, 
Col.  Ilodgkiss,  a  countryman  distinguished  in  the  war  of 
1812,  presented  me  with  an  elegant  sword,  a  testimonial 
of  his  respect  for  me ;  and  perhaps  partly  in  vie^v  of  the 
perilous  journey  to  be  pursued  along  roads  at  that  time 
known  to  be  infested  with  banditti.  My  generous  and 
kind-hearted  friends,  Mr.  Wilcox,  and  Geo.  L.  Hammer- 
kin,  the  latter  a  gentleman  from  New  York,  associatiid 


43 


with  tl»e  consul  in  the  maim;;cnu;nt  ot*  his  hacienda,  con- 
tributed liberally  to  my  outfit.  The  consul  presented  mo 
with  two  noble  mules,  and  a  theodolite,  all  ot  the  value  ot 
several  hundred  dollars.  Mr.  Ilammerkin  made  nio  a  gen- 
erous gift  of  money. 

Foster  now  again  creeps  into  my  presence,  and  impor- 
tunes hard  for  the  privilege  ot  again  traveling  with  me, 
promises  another  paper  ccmfessing  his  past  guilty  conduct, 
and  to  assist  in  driving  the  animals.  1  consented.  He 
proposed  to  hand  mc  inmiediately  the  paper,  a  matter  I 
cared  but  little  about.  He  had,  as  I  have  said,  soon  after 
my  arrival,  abstracted  from  my  baggage  a  paper  confessing 
his  guilty  conduct  in  New  Orleans.  I  told  him,  however, 
that  I  had  no  conlidence  in  his  professions  of  repentance  or 
friendship,  and  that  I  believed  him  to  be  entirely  destitute 
of  principle.  He  purposely  delayed  giving  that  paper  un- 
til after  we  had  passed  out  of  the  city.  It  was  at  length 
artfully  given  mc  when  I  was  on  horseback,  at  a  moment 
when  he  knew  it  would  not  be  likely  to  be  read.  After- 
wards, at  the  place  of  my  encampment,  I  found  it  was  not 
what  it  should  be  ;  yet  did  I  suffer  him  to  proceed  on,  not 
fearing  what  he  could  do  to  me. 

My  personal  arms  were  a  light  gun,  a  brace  of  pistols, 
and  the  sword  just  presented  me.  In  the  baggage  were 
three  guns  and  other  weapons  such  as  are  usually  used  in 
human  slaughter.  Thus  was  I  accoutred  in  complete 
Cossack  panoply.  Also,  included  in  the  mules'  cargoes, 
were  Indian  presents,  three  guns,  a  tent,  journals,  station- 
ery, a  nautical  almanac,  thermometer,  theodolite,  and 
other  things,  such  as  might  be  useful  at  the  place  of  my 
destination,  and  on  the  way  thither. 

My  trust  was  not  in  these  equipments,  earthly  weapons, 
liable  to  fail  me  in  the  hour  of  danger ;  it  was  then,  and 
ever  has  been,  in  the  suie  mercies  of  David,  in  the  strong 
arm  of  Christ,  the  beloved  Son  of  the  Almighty  God,  the 
Redeemer  of  men,  who  said  to  his  servants,  "Lo,  I  am 
with  you  always,  even  unto  the  ends  of  the  earth." 

Just  before  resuming  the  journey,  tAvo  strangers,  a 
French  gentleman  and  a  countryman  from  Philadelphia, 
Giredot  and  Keyser,  came  and  proposed  to  accompany  me 
to  Gaudlajara.  Their  company  was  very  acceptable,  and 
proved  to  be  of  much  benefit  to  me.  I  was  now  ready  to 
go  forward. 


W' 


44 


CHAP.  V. 


Just  as  I  was  leaving,  Avlien  oiitsl'lc  of  the  gate,  Foster 
introduced  to  nic  a  savage  looking  nui.i  whom  he  eallcd 
Frederick,  and  who  was  going,  he  said,  to  San  IJlas,  and 
desii  jd  to  travel  with  me  ;  said  he  would  assiait  in  driving 
the  bnrthened  animals.  I  consented,  believing  a  refusal 
would  bo  of  no  avail ;  that  Foster  had  picked  him  up  for  an 
accomplice  in  carrying  out  his  bloody  purpose.  1  learned 
aftei-wards  by  the  French  gentleman  that  he  was  a  foot-pad, 
and  an  associate  with  the  highwaynuMi  in  that  portion  of  the 
country. 

My  servant  engaged  in  the  city  to  take  charge  of  the 
mules,  and  to  serve  r-^  a  guide,  at  the  end  of  two  days  re- 
iused  to  go  iaither.  I  settled  with  him,  paid  him  his 
price,  and  for  a  further  compensation  he  j^lundered  my 
baggage  of  some  small  articles,  not,  however,  of  much 
value.  After  four  days,  Giredot  and  Keyser,  finding  it 
too  tiresome  to  travel  in  a  slow  walk,  and  impatient  to  go 
forward,  left  me.  They  had  traveled  with  me  two  or 
three  hours  in  the  morning,  and  then  hastened  to  their 
night  quarters.  Foster  and  Frederick  were  now  my  only 
servants  and  guide.  At  eight  o'clock  in  the  evening,  after 
a  hard  day's  journey,  having  missed  the  road,  I  stojiped, 
pitched  my  tent  by  the  side  of  the  i)ath  and  unburdened 
the  mules.  Early  the  next  morning  I  started  in  search  of 
some  populated  place  for  food  and  provender  for  the 
beasts,  and  also  for  information  as  to  the  right  road.  After 
traveling  nearly  a  league  I  entered  a  village,  went  from 
house  to  house,  but  the  doors  were  kept  closed ;  none 
cared  to  give  me  answer — not  so  much  as  a  cup  of  water. 
Returning  to  the  encampment,  I  ordered  the  animals  to  be 
got  ready  to  leave.  While  in  the  tent  making  ready  the 
baggage,  Foster,  outside,  called  out,  "Robbers  are  com- 
ing." Looking  out,  I  saw  ten  or  fifteen  men,  variously 
armed,  near  approaching.  To  show  non-resistance,  I 
grounded  my  gun  at  the  tent  door.  The  supposed  robbers 
came  up  in  front,  their  captain  advanced,  and  with  tremb- 
ling hands  stooped  down  and  picked  up  the  gun.  Then, 
full  of  courage,  called  out,  Hamoa,  hamos.     On  my  coming 


45 


out  ho  demanded  my  side-arms.  They  were  now  silent 
for  awhile,  as  though  waiting  for  u  reinforcement.  Soon  I 
puw,  under  a  cloud  of  dust,  a  crowd  of  women  and  chil- 
dren. They  came  and  seated  themselves  in  a  line  on 
the  ground.  All  fears  of  their  having  hud  intentions 
were  now  dispelled.  They  were  silent.  Four  men  on 
hortichack  arrived ;  one  was  the  Elceldc  of  the  village 
where  1  had  just  been  eo  unsuccessful  in  finding  friends. 
Ho  addressed  to  me  a  few  words,  all  of  which  I  did  not 
understand.  1  then  exhibited  the  traveling  passport  given 
me  by  the  chief  executive  of  the  United  States,  and  a  letter 
from  a  distinguished  countryman,  stating  the  objects  of  my 
sojourn  in  Mexico.  These  jiapers  were  translated  into  bis 
own  language.  He  read  them  and  bowed.  I  bowed  also, 
and  we  shook  hands.  Among  the  women  was  a  fair  and 
thoughtful  looking  old  lady,  wlio  had  come  prepared  with 
toilillis  and  fruit  to  relieve  our  hunger.  She  uncovered  a 
basket,  and  looking  kindly  at  me,  said,  "Senora,  toma." 
We  partook  of  her  bounty ;  though  I  had  fasted  twenty- 
four  hours,  was  not  hungry,  but  Foster  ate  much,  and  ate 
like  a  dog  on  the  point  of  stai-vation.  This  lady  I  suppos- 
ed to  be  the  mother  of  the  Elcelde,  and  a  "mother  in  Isra- 
el." I  thought  I  could  see  an  excellent  spirit  in  her;  and 
believed  the  fa^'irit  of  Christ  prompted  her  to  administer 
comfort  to  me.  After  opening  a  package  of  Indian  pres- 
ents, I  addressed  her,  "Senora,  toma  (take),"  and  gave 
her  in  return,  lace  and  ribbons,  with  which  she  seemed 
pleased,  ten  times  the  value  of  what  had  been  received. 
The  Elcelde  and  his  suite  having  conducted  me  to  the 
right  road,  bade  me  good-by,  and  returned  to  their  vil- 
lage, and  I  proceeded  on  my  route. 

After  two  days  reached  Yula,  where  I  found  my  two 
fellow  travelers  awaiting  my  arrival.  Here  I  passed  two 
or  three  days  in  exploring  the  region  about  the  city, 
most  of  the  time  in  the  market  place,  studying  human  na- 
ture, observing  the  manners  and  customs  of  the  people, 
and  seeking  knowledge,  and  picking  up  memorials  of  an- 
tiquity. Ilistory  informs  us  that  the  Anuuhac  tiibe,  the 
earliest  aborigines  of  Mexico,  iu  their  migration  south- 
ward from  the  place  of  their  landing  on  the  American 
shores,  made  Yula  their  first  stoi^i^ing  place.  After  two 
or  three  days,  with  my  companions  in  company,  I  again 
moved  forward.     I  would  here  remark  as  to  the  aspect  of 


the  country.  It  is  a  great  plaiu,  spreadiuc^  out  from  tlio 
city  of  Mexico,  westward,  nearly  or  quite  an  liundrcl 
leagues.  It  is  neaily  destitute  of  timber,  possesses  a  fer- 
tile soil,  which  is  crimposed  mostly  of  volcanic  ashes  and 
vegetable  mould. 

In  Curetero  I  delayed  one  day,  bouglit  a  horse,  and 
there  wcro  stolen  from  my  effects  ai tides  of  six  or  eight 
doliars  value.  The  baser  sort  of  the  natives  are  much 
given  to  thieving,  and  practice  with  wonderful  skill  the 
sleight  of  hand,  and  can  steal  before  the  eyes  of  another 
without  his  knowledire.  Though  I  kept  a  constant  watch 
over  m}'  property,  yet  I  was  constantly  losing.  My  fel- 
low travelers  have  again  left  me  and  gone  ahead  to  hunt 
rabbits.  I  passed  though  Salais,  and  put  up  for  tlie  night 
in  a  Puebla,  three  leagues  beyond  tliat  place.  The  hunt- 
ers were  with  me,  and  we  made  a  good  supper  on  rabbits. 

About  tlie  middle  of  the  next  day  reached  Salamanca. 
Outside  of  the  town  a  man  on  horseback  met  me  and  said 
he  would  conduct  mc  to  a  mason  and  to  the  Custom  House. 
At  the  litter  place  my  passports  and  papers  were  examined. 
The  custom  house  officer  said  I  was  unlawfully  carrying 
four  guns.  I  replied  that  the  passport  gave  me  a  right  to 
carry  them.  He  said,  however,  I  might  sell  one  of  tliem 
to  his  son,  then  standing  at  the  door,  and  proceed  on  with 
the  three.  Accordingly,  one  was  offered  to  tlie  lad  at  lialf 
its  vahie.  But  this  was  not  the  thing ;  the  gun  he  wr'^ted 
without  price,  I  took  back  the  passport  and  walked  o.it, 
returned  to  the  Inn  and  ordered  the  servant  to  make  ready 
to  leave.  The  marshal  now  1)rouglit  forward  a  hirge  horse, 
which  he  olio  red  to  exchange  for  a  gun.  The  animal,  on 
examination,  was  discovered  to  be  blind  in  one  eye  and  to 
be  badly  foundered.  It  was  more  than  two  Ikmu-s  b(>lore  1 
could  get  rid  of  these  insolent  oilicers  of  the  gi.vcrmnent. 
I  finally  got  out  of  the  city,  l»ut  had  not  proceeded  half  a 
league  when  a  man  came  in  great  speed,  offering  to  sell  his 
horse  for  a  gun.  I  assured  him  I  had  no  wish  to  b.iy,  and 
desin^d  him  to  leave.  At  length,  with  nmch  difficulty,  I 
induced  him  to  wheel  about  aud  leave  mc.  He  hastened 
back  to  report,  no  doubt,  to  the  oHicer  ul  the  customs.  I 
began  to  think  I  had  now  escaped  the  heathen  city;  but 
alas !  in  less  than  an  hour  afterwards,  whom  sliouhl  I  see 
following  l)ut  him  who  was  a  few  hours  before  so  courteous 
and  attentive  to  me  in  the  city.     ITo  conies  to   veiKiw  his 


47 


^tcd 


attempt  to  rob  me  of  the  gun.  lie  first  said  lie  must  have 
the  gun  and  $4.00  for  the  horse  ollcred  me.  He  demanded 
it — demanded  me  to  stop  and  tuni  back ;  seized  hold  of 
my  bridle,  llom-ished  his  sword  and  discharged  a  pistol, 
liding  forward  to  stop  the  mules,  again  discharged  his  pistol, 
crossing  the  path  ahead  of  my  horse,  and  again,  the  third 
time   discharged  the  pistol. 

To  get  rid  of  his  troubling,  1  proposed  to  submit  the 
matter  to  the  Elcelde  of  the  next  village.  It  was  nearly* 
dark  before  we  reached  one.  Providentially,  1  mot  there 
my  two  friends.  Giredot,  conversant  in  the  Spanish  lan- 
guage, and  serving  me  as  an  interpreter,  stated  the  case  to 
til",  magistrate,  and  the  robber  was  ordered  to  turn  back 
and  pursue  me  no  further.  In  the  morning,  the  Padre, 
whom  I  believed  to  be  an  honest  man  and  disposed  to  deal 
jistlj''  with  me,  ])roposed  to  buy  the  gun,  oilering  me 
for  it  a  large  and  powerful  looking  horse,  apparently 
without  11  blemish.  Ilis  price  was  fifty  dollars  ;  mine  the 
same.  An  exchange  was  at  once  made,  and  I  jirocceded 
on  my  way. 

The  new  steed  proved  to  be  but  partly  domesticated — 
wild  and  dillicult  to  manage.  About  noon,  meeting  three 
armed  men  on  hoi-seback,  whom  I  supposed  to  be  robbers, 
1  dismounted,  holding  my  gun  in  the  right  hand  and  the 
bridle  reins  in  the  left.  They  passed  on  the  off  side, 
and  pricked  the  animal  Avitli  a  sword,  causing  him  to 
jump ;  and  he  escaped,  leaving  me  with  a  dislocated  little 
finger.  Making  a  circuit  ol  a  few  rods,  he  set  his  head  to- 
wards the  place  of  his  former  master,  taking  along  with 
him  a  valise  mailed  back  of  the  saddle,  containing  a  small 
amount  of  money,  some  jewelry  and  valuable  papers.  I 
was  now  in  trouble,  and  feared  I  sliould  not  easily  get  out 
of  it.  I  was  alone — my  two  friends  had  gone  ahead,  and 
neither  Foster  nor  Frederick,  having  charge  of  the  mules, 
and  unacquainted  with  the  roads,  were  suitable  persons  to 
hunt  for  the  horse.  Looking  about  I  saw  at  no  great  dis- 
tjince  an  Indiiin  standing  in  front  of  his  habitation.  I 
called  to  him  and  oiiered  him  a  dollar  (three  or  four  Avcre 
in  my  i)ocket)  to  fine?  and  bring  back  the  runaway  animal. 
He  was  at  ouco  upon  the  track,  and  in  two  hours  retuined 
with  the  horse,  but  without  the  valuables.  Ho  reported 
thai  the  valise  was  hanging  on  one  side  of  the  animal  with 
one  end  cut  ope.i,  emptied  of  its  contents.     I  proceeded 


48- 


^,. 


IUh 


on  several  leagues  to  a  large  town,  where  I  stopped  tor  a 
day  to  give  rest  to  the  lame  and  wearied  animals.  My 
friends,  G.  and  K.,  wero  overtaken  at  this  place,  and  rodo 
in  company  with  me,  as  they  had  previously  done,  one  or 
two  hours  in  the  morning,  and  then  took  their  final  leave 
of  mew  I  again,  however,  met  them  on  ni}'  arrival  at 
Gaudlajara.  Foster  and  Frederick,  while  ascending  a  hilU 
cut  each  of  them  a  stick  and  hastened  forward  with  one  of 
the  mules  and  a  horse,  laden  with  my  tent,  a  gun  and 
some  other  light  articles,  leaving  me  to  drive  the  other, 
whicli  was  lame,  and  traveled  slow.  Having  passed  the 
summit  of  the  hill,  and  out  of  sight,  they  also  took  their 
final  leave.  They  probably  believed  they  had  already  be- 
trayed me  into  the  merciless  hands  of  robbers  in  the  moun- 
tain just  ahead,  who  would  make  an  end  of  me.  Frederick 
doubtless  had  so  planned,  being  acquainted,  as  I  had  been 
given  to  understand,  with  the  banditti  infesting  that  por- 
tion of  the  country,  and  having  had  in  the  cities  through 
which  we  had  passed,  communication  with  some  of  the 
highwaymen,  looking  after  such  wayfaring  travelers  as 
they  would  like  to  make  their  victims.  I  was  now  alone, 
unacquainted  with  the  road,  and  it  seemed  almost  impossi- 
ble for  me  to  go  forward.  I  proceeded  on  a  mile  or  more, 
hoping  to  find  some  habitation.  Leaving  tlie  packed 
animals,  I  rode  to  the  summit  of  a  swell  of  land.  I 
saw  in  the  distance  a  cabin,  and  approached  near  it.  A 
man  came  out,  seized  a  fetone  and  auvau(!ed  towards  me. 
I  made  inquiries  of  him  concerning  tiie  way  to  Gaudlajaia 
and  for  some  person  to  guide  me  thither.  He  i)ointed  out 
the  right  road,  but  thought  it  unsafe  for  me  t(»  travel.  It 
led  over  a  mountain,  the  same  in  which  I  had  been  told 
were  a  band  of  robbers.  I  left  him,  and  on  my  way  to 
the  mules,  another  man  was  seen  coming  from  ;.he  direc- 
tion of  the  mountain.  He  rode  up  to  me,  and  inquired 
as  to  my  condition,  spoke  kindly,  as  though  he  would  have 
mo  believe  him  a  friend ;  had  a  crucifix  in  his  l)osom  as 
though  a  christian  man.  I  asked  him  if  he  would  conduct 
me  to  Gaudlajara;  said  he  would  for  two  dollars  a  day. 
I  consented  to  give  it.  Taking  charge  of  the  mules,  he 
led  on  the  way.  On  beginning  to  ascend  the  mountain,  a 
large  rattlesnake  was  seen  crossing  the  i)ath  near  in  front 
ot  my  horse.  My  conductor,  dismounting,  killed  the  ser- 
pent with  my  sword,  and  took  from  it  its  rattles,  thirteen 


T 


a 


49 

in  number,  and  passed  them  to  me.     I   Lave  somcthiog 
more,  hereafter,  to  say  in  regard  to  this  incident,  proTi- 
dential,  I  think.     [App.  O.]     On  tlie  summit,  at  the  dis- 
tance of  a  few  rods,  were  seen  five  armed  men  on  horses, 
looking  steadfastly  at  me.     The  guide  said,  "Lahombres, 
malos."    Among  their  weapons  was  the  lasso,  the  most 
ellectual  one  used  in  their  line  of  business.  I  raised  my  gun 
as  though  about  to  make  demonstration.     They  seemed  as 
motionless  as  though  they  had  no  power  of  action.     A 
gun  in  the  hands  oi  a  foreigner  appears  terrible  to  Mexi- 
can  robbers,  and  they    may  have   been  intimidated  by 
mine,  and  have  thought  it  a  less    risk   of  life  to  cap- 
ture mo  in  some  other  place.       I  was  not  much  fright- 
ened,  but,   tliinking   myself    in    an   unsafe  place,  has- 
tened  to  get  out  of  it.     I  soon  reached  the  toot  of  the 
mountain  and  a  cluster  of  cabins,  (three  I  recollect,)  and 
there  saw  the  five  identical  men  whom  I  had  just  passed, 
still  on  their  horses.     I  avus  oideved  to  dismount.     The 
animals  were  stripped  of  their  burdens  and  led  to  some 
place  where  1  sujiposed  they  were  supplied  with  provender. 
There  wore  four  women,  l)ut  no  children  or  young  persons. 
With  a  good  degree  of  presence  of  mind  1  made  my  con- 
versation agreeable  to  them,  spoke  of  my  lonely  travels, 
of  robberies  and  of  the  loss  of  my  money  ;  and  made  them 
presents,  hair  (iombs  and  scissors,  which  tliey  seemed  to 
think  of  great  value.     In    return  thoj'  gave   me  food — a 
bountiful  sup[)ly  of  tortillos.     Early  in  the  evening  they 
conducted  me  to  the  place  for  my  lodging.     "  I  lay  mo 
down  to  sleep  "  upon  the  baggage,  and  the  Lord  Jesus 
spread  over  mo  (lie  wings  of  his  luve.     I  was  comfortable, 
and   slept   quietly  and   safely  through  the   night.      Tho 
women  had   doubtless  iiKluced  the  men   to  change  their 
pre  granitne  of  proceedings  from  a  merciless  to  a  more  hu- 
maiM!  one — to  go  on  with  me,  and  on  the  way,  at  some 
place  of  anibush,  take  possession  of  the  mules  and  their 
cargoes,  and  let  me  go.     In  the  morning  I  saw  the  men 
again  on   their  horses  leave  the  place.     Soon  after,  the 
treaclun'ous  guide  brought  forward  jmd   made  ready  the 
animals  and  left  with  me.     At  the  end  (?*  three  or  four 
leagues,  in  a  lonely  place,  the  conductor,  who  had  api)earod 
so  honest  and  so  much  a  fricMid,  stopped  the  largest  of  tho 
mules,  tlie  leading  one  of  them,  the  one  laden  with  tho 
most  valuable  and  l)ulkly  i)ortion  of  the  property,  under 
pretense  of  adjusting  the  fastening?  of  the  load,  and  said 
7 


50 


M. 


ii  ' .,; 


tome,  "Go  on."  I  did  so,  driving  on  tlic  other  mule, 
then  before  me.  After  proeecdhig  a  few  rods,  and  look- 
ing back,  lo,  both  the  nnile  and  driver  were  missing. 
They  had  gone  buck  liehind  some  clumps  o{  bushes  near 
the  roadside.  Moving  on  some  hundred  or  more  rods,  and 
leaving  the  mule  near  a  lonely  house,  I  turned  about  with 
the  determination  to  rescue  the  captured  nude,  even  at  the 
peril  of  life,  if  so  it  needs  be.  On  the  way  I  met  the  same 
five  men  in  who.^o  hands  and  poAvej*  I  had  been  the  previous 
day  and  night.  When  opi)osite  the  house  where  the  mule 
driven  fcn'ward  was  left,  they  discharged  a  pistol,  which 
was  a  signal  for  the  conductor  to  bring  forward  the  mule, 
and  again  join  me.  In  a  few  minutes  he  was  on  the  road 
hastening  towards  me,  and  now,  with  both  mules,  we  pro- 
ceeded on  the  way,  and  at  the  distance  of  a  league,  reached 
a  fording  place  at  the  head  waters  of  the  Kio  Grande, 
emptying  into  the  ocean,  near  San  Bias.  It  was  a  dark 
and  solitary  place,  and  near  nightCall ;  the  path  was  nar- 
row, flanked  Avith  thick  bushes  leading  o])lique  to  the 
river,  and  the  men  purposing  to  take  my  lih;  la}-  concealed 
among  them.  Xo  one  could  be  seen  crossing  until  quite 
on  the  hither  bank  of  the  stream.  When  the  nniles  had 
come  to  the  water's  edge,  the  conductor,  back  of  them, 
wheeled  about  and  said,  with  an  air  of  triumph,  and,  to 
me,  a  ghastly  snnle,  "1  am  going  no  further;  are  you 
ffoinffon?"  Instantly  two  nu'n  were  seen  on  horsebiick, 
close  at  hand.  One  of  them  said,  "Tiu'n,  and  go  Avith 
us ;"  and  commanded  tiie  conductor  (speaking  with  antlior- 
ity)  to  drive  along  the  animals.  They  Iiad  been  apprised 
of  the  movements  of  the  robbeis,  and  had  come  to  my 
help.  Here  was  a  fuUilhnent  of  the  passage  ol  Scri|)ture — 
"No  weapon  tliat  is  formed  against  thee  sliall  prosper." 
TJK^V  beloniicd  to  the  villaue  called  ^VriruaCaliente,  situate 
near  the  liouse  where  tlie  mnle  had  been  left.  It  was  not 
seen  by  me  at  the  time  ol  passing,  owing  to  a  swell  of  land 
which  intervened,  or  I  should  there  have  stopjjcd  and 
freed  myself  from  the  company  of  my  bloody  ])ursuers. 
One  of  them  was  the  lOlcelde  of  the  village.  .•  On  the  way, 
I  spoke  of  my  enter})rise — the  reason  of  the  sojourn  in  that 
country  and  the  cause  of  my  loneliness.  I  tarried  in  that 
village  two  dajs,  at  the  house  of  the  Elcelde,  by  whom  I 
was  made  the  partic'pant  of  the  most  generous  hospitality. 
I  have  not  time  to  s])eak   of  the  respect  there  jiaid  nie,  or 


51 

of  the  dance  (Fandango)  given  in  honor  to  the  stranger  so 
providentially  in  the  village.  Leaving  the  mules,  fatigued 
and  worn  down  by  hardships,  to  rest,  I  proceeded  on  to 
Gandlaxara,  accompanied  hy  one  of  the  sous  of  my  hospit- 
able friend,  where,  after  giving  myself  and  horse  a  few 
days'  rest,  returned  for  them.  The  first  thing  alter  my 
arrival  at  Gandlaxara  was  to  find  my  two  I'unaway  com- 
panions, and  make  search  for  the  two  villains  who  had 
robbed  me  of  the  horse  and  his  valuable  burden.  Among 
the  foreigners  residing  and  doing  business  in  that  city, 
were  Terry  and  Sullivan,  two  of  my  countrymen.  My 
first  call  was  upon  them.  I  stated  to  them  how  a  man  by 
the  name  of  Foster  had  followed  to  trouble  me  from  New 
York  to  witliiu  thirty  or  forty  miles  of  tliat  phice,  and 
how  he  and  a  man  by  the  nai.'e  of  Frederick,  a  highway- 
man wliom  he  had  picked  u[)  to  be  liis  associate  in  villany, 
had  robbed  mo  of  a  horse,  a  tent,  and  some  otlier  valuai)le 
articles.  Mr.  Terry,  looking  earnestly  at  me,  said  that  a 
foreigner  l)ut  a  few  llays  in  the  place  had  sold  him  a  gun. 
lie  brought  it  forward,  and  it  was  the  identical  gun  stolen. 
"  Wc  will  go,'-  said  he,  "and  see  the  man;  I  know  where, 
he  quarters."  Foster,  at  the  fii-st  sight  of  us,  seemed 
agitated  and  turned  i)ale.  Terry  demanded  of  him  the 
return  of  the  twenty  dollars  paid  for  the  gun.  Foster  re- 
plied, "It  is  mostly  gone  to  meet  expenses."  lie  was  told 
if  he  did  not  then  return  it,  ho  should  be  put  where  the 
dogs  could  not  bite  him.  He  handed  to  Terry  twelve  dol- 
lars, saying  "this  is  all  I  have."  I  then  said  to  Foster, 
"You  must  immediately  leave  the  place,  and  lea 'e  me 
forever,  or  I  will  conuuit  you  to  the  hands  t)f  the  public 
authority  as  being  a  felon,  a  robber,  and  the  chief  of  ras- 
cals." "I  will  leave,"  replied  he,  <'for  San  Bias,  and 
there  go  on  boai'd  the  first  vessel  for  the  Sandwich 
Islands."  And  he  did  leave,  and  so  also  did  Frederick, 
but  not  until  he  had  taken  the  tongue  from  tiie  mouth  of 
my  best  mulc!  and  I'uined  that  noble  and  valuable  animal. 
The  gun  and  t<'nt  were  restored  to  me ;  but  a  cane,  a 
present  by  Mr.  Jcswett,  a  countr3'man  and  friend  residing 
at  Jalapa,  was  lost. 

Ex[)ecting  to  Hud  in  Mexico  the  system  of  education 
extrenudy  defective,  I  went  prepared  to  make,  or  rather 
to  suggest,  improrements.  I  was  well  qualified  for  it, 
liaviiig:  been  mvse'!f  a  teacher,  most  of  the  time,  from  the 


Pacific  N.  W.  History  Oept. 

PROVINCIAL  LIBRARY 
VICTORIA,  B.  C. 


52 


age  of  sixteen  years  to  that  of  thirty-tbrec ;  autl  having, 
myself,  made  improvements  in  the  art  of  teaching.  It 
was  desirable  to  see  adopted,  there,  the  excellent  system 
of  instiuction  practiced  in  New  England,  whore  moral, 
mental  and  physical  instruction  are  measurably  united ; 
and  where  the  mind  is  not  matured  at  the  expense  of  the 
body ;  and  mind  and  body  are  invigorated  with  wholesome 
exercise ;  and  the  pupil  comes  into  manhood  with  health 
and  strength,  evincing  skill  and  dexterity  in  his  avocati<m. 
The  same  benevolent  gentleman  who  furnished  the  pre- 
scription for  treating  the  cholera,  also  favored  me  with 
pamphlets  and  papers,  developing  the  plan  of  the  Manual 
Labor  Academy  of  Pennsylvania.  The  system  of  disci- 
pline and  instruction  in  that  institution  seemed  i)referable 
to  that  of  any  other  in  my  enlightened  land. 

Richard  M.  Jones,  Esq.,  Principal  of  the  State  Institute 
at  Gaudlaxara,  in  which  youth  were  taught  on  the  Lancas- 
terian  mode  of  instruction,  (Mr.  Jones  was  son-in-law  to 
the  late  celebrated  Joseph  Lancaster,  author  of  the  Lan- 
casterian  system  of  school  teacliing,)  being  satisfied  of  its 
pre-eminent  advantages,  engaged  to  exert  his  influence  for 
its  general  adoption  in  that  country.  I  was  pailicular  to 
explain  it  to  other  foreigners,  in  other  cities,  Avhose  intel- 
ligence and  positions  gave  them  inlluencc  A>ith  the  leading 
citizens. 

After  mv  return  home,  in  IH.'UJ,  to  mv  native  side  of 
the  continent,  I  learned  about  Foster's  movements  after 
his  arrival  at  the  Sandwich  Islands,  and  how  ho  finished 
his  wicked  career.  At  the  Islands  he,  with  two  other 
persons  like  himself,  went  on  board  a  whaloship  bound  to 
the  noith-west  coast.  The  vessel  touched  at  Monterey ; 
there  the  three  sailors  or  passengers  landed,  purposing  to 
remain  awhile.  On  the  day  of  their  landing,  my  friends 
there  called  on  Governor  Figueroa,  [see  Narrative  E.  D.,. 
p.  91,]  and  acquainted  him  with  Foster's  character  and 
the  manner  in  which  he  had  troubled  me.  He  innnedi- 
ately  called  the  strangers  to  his  ofUce,  and  said  In?  should 
give  them  no  pennits  to  remain  oven  a  single  day  in  Cali- 
fornia, and  that  they  must  do  one  of  two  things  straight- 
way— -leave  the  country,  or  go  on  board  a  shii)-of-war  then 
at  anchor  in  the  bay.  They  chose  to  do  the  latter.  The 
following  day  a  squall  came  up ;  the  ^■essel  rolled  and 
tossed,  was  separated  from  her  moorings,  and  began  to 


53 


wrongs 


rnako  lor  the  shore.  Foster  and  his  two  new  associates, 
jiffrighted,  plunged  into  the  sea  and  swam  to  the  beach. 
Foster's  companions  walked  up  and  mingled  with  the  hun- 
dreds tlieu  on  shore — (most  of  the  people  of  Monterey 
were  there,  Avitnessing  the  event.)  Foster  gained  a  stand- 
hig,  hut  the  receding  sea  took  him  back  again  ;  he  swam 
and  reached  the  beach,  and  again  was  tiiken  back ;  and 
again  he  swam,  and  got,  it  was  said,  a  linn  standing;  and 
the  third  time  the  angry  waves  bore  him  back.  Some  on 
shove  went  in  to  save  him,  but  there  was  no  help  for  him. 
He  sank  in  the  sullen  deep,  as  though  a  "millstone  were 
lianged  about  his  neck."  Here  was  an  end  ol  another  ol 
my  mad  pm-suers.  "  Woe  unto  him  by  whom  offenses 
come ;  it  were  better  lor  him  that  a  millstone  were  hanged 
about  liis  neck,  and  he  cast  into  the  sea,  than  that  he 
should  offend  one  of  these  little  ones."  The  Lord  Jesus, 
who  hath  all  power  in  heaven  and  on  earth,  sajs  it.  He 
is  ever  with  "his  servants,"  and  avengeth  the 
done  them.     [App.  P.] 

My  informant  was  the  late  Thomas  Shaw,  of  Boston, 
Secretary  to  the  Baptist  Foreign  Missionary  Society — 
(Secretary,  I  think.)  In  the  year  1833,  he  was  super- 
cargo of  the  ship  Lagoda,  from  Boston,  at  anchor  in  Mon- 
terey bay  at  the  time  of  the  event,  and  Avas  one  of  the 
eye-witnesses  of  Foster's  "awful  end." 

Tlie  following  letter  speaks  of  Mr.  Shaw's  being  on  the 
coast  of  California  in  the  year  '33,  and  gives  a  word  ol 
testimony  as  to  the  pitiable  condition,  at  the  time  of  my 
arrival  in  California,  to  which  persecutions  had  reduced 
nie. 

Baptist  Miss.  Rooms,      ) 
Boston,  March  2Sth,  184S.  J 
IIali.  J.  Kelley,  Esq.  : 

Dear  Sir, — Such  was  the  state  of  my  health  when 
I  left  Washington,  that  I  omitted  to  put  on  paper  the  facts 
relative  to  my  first  meeting  you  at  San  Diego,  (en  route 
for  Oregon,)  and  now,  at  this  late  day,  forward  3'ou  au 
extra(;t  from  a  letter  to  my  wife,  dated  May  26,  1834. 
'♦  You  may  Siiy  to  Mr.  B.  that  Mr,  Kelley  was  on  board  of 
the  Lagoda  a  short  time  since ;  he  arrived  at  this  place 
(San  Diego)  the  14th  ol  April  last,  and  took  passage  with 
us  up  the  coast  to  St.  Pedro ;  he  is  bound  to  Monterey. 
From  thence  he  intends  to  proceed  to  the  (^olumbia  River ; 


54 

it  is  a  dangerous  route  ;  ho  has  sufleied  much  since  he  left 
New  Orleans,  where  he  took  passage  for  Vera  Cruz,  and 
from  thence  traveled  to  Mexico.  From  that  place  he  went 
to  San  Bias,  and  there  took  passage  for  La  Paz,  a  port  in 
the  Gult  of  California;  from  thence  he  traveled  to  this 
place,  through  a  country  that  may  almost  be  termed  a 
desert.  He  has  seen  and  suH'cred  much,  and  is  almost 
destitute  of  anything  to  make  him  comfortable ;  still  his 
favorite  idea  of  settling  Oregon  predominates  over  every 
other  consideration.  lie  left  some  property  at  Vera  Cruz, 
which  ho  hopes  to  receive  so.  le  time  or  other.  He  has 
been  robbed  of  a  considerable  part  of  what  he  brought  out 
with  him  from  New  Englaud.  He  has  letters  to  persons 
in  Monterey,  from  whom  he  expects  help  in  prosecuting 
his  journey.     I  hope  his  expectations  will  be  realized." 

I  am  obliged  to  close,  or  lose  the  chance  for  to-day's 
mail. 

In  hiistc,  very  truly  your  friend  and  servant, 

THOMAS  SHAW. 


<^- 


k 


I  will  hero  turn  and  speak  further  of  troubles.  The, 
war  ol  persecution  continues  to  rage  ;  the  troops  are  mak- 
ing, daily,  fierce  and  terrible  attacks.  The  order  of  the 
day  is  now,  as  years  ago — vox  and  torture  him — drive 
him  to  despair — drive  him  out  of  the  world.  !Much  as  it 
fared' witli  the  Apostle  Paul,  who  was  "tr()u])led  on  every 
side  "  by  "  unreac"onal)le  and  wicked  men,"  so  for  the  laet 
forty  years  it  has  fared  >vith  me.  "In  journej'ings  often, 
in  perils  by  robbers,  in  perils  by  mine  own  countrynK-n, 
in  perils  by  the  heathen,  in  perils  in  the  (Mty,  in  perds  in 
the  wilderness,  in  perils  in  the  sea,  in  perils  among  false 
brethren,  in  fastings,  in  weariness  and  painfulness,"  and 
in  loneliness  my  life  long. 

One  of  the  objects  of  the  present  ont[)ouriii.u"K  ot  the 
"wrath  of  man,"  is  to  prevent  the  dictation  of  this  Itook, 
and  any  action  on  the  petition  now  in  Congress. 

The  nervous  all'ection  has  increased — am  more  slow  of 
speech — more  slow  of  apprehension.  Have  nearly  lost, 
at  times,  the  physical  ability  to  compose,  and  am  more 
liable  to  inadvertent  speaking.  Can  prepare  no  more  than 
thiiiy  or  forty  lines  of  manuscript  for  the  press  in  a  day. 
[App.  I).]     I  must  curtail  the  book  forty  or  fifty  pages. 


55 

and  give  a  synopsis  only  of  the  story  of  further  hardships 
and  suilorin'^s.  Will  pass  over,  for  the  present,  particular 
mention  of  wonderful  interpositions  of  Divine  Providence, 
of  deliverances  from  the  hands  of  bloody  men,  of  hair- 
breadth escapes  from  the  rille,  from  the  Jaws  of  wild  beasts, 
from  the  stings  of  scorpions,  and  from  the  fang.s  and  venom 
of  serijcnts.  I  say  I  must  curtail  this  book,  and  hafete  to 
make  it  ready  for  the  consideration  of  Congress  and  the 
people  of  my  counti*y. 


CHAP.  VI. 

1  would  ask,  by  whom  do  men  say  was  the  settlement 
of  Oregon  made.  This  question  I  am  able  myself  to  an- 
swer. I  know  myself,  and  am  not  ignorant  of  my  j^er- 
formanecs  in  Oregon.  Some  say  the  llrst  missionaries  laid 
tlie  foundation  for  the  settlement  of  that  country.  The 
public  agent,  the  late  Lieut,  llowison,  in  his  report  to  the 
comman  ler  of  the  Pacific  squadron,  Feb.  1,  1847,  while 
he  is  profoundly  silent  as  to  mc,  the  mlc  founder  of  the 
(irst  nucleus  and  colonizing  settlement  in  Oregon,  I  de- 
clare it,  makes  the  followiui;  declarations :  "  The  Ameri- 
can  missionaries  were  the  tirst  persons  to  attempt  any 
establishment  in  Oregon,  independent  of  th  elludson  Bay 
Company."  "A  few  American  hunters,  not  numbering 
over  twelve  or  liftecn,*  straggled  into  tlie  country  about 
tlie  same  time." 

Late  Lieut.  Slocum,  the  government  agent  in  '35  sent 
to  learn  the  condition  and  wants  of  my  settlement  made  in 
OctolK'r,  '34,  (the  committee  in  Congress  on  foreign  affairs 
knowing  one  ot  the  objects  of  my  visit  to  Oregon  to  be, 
Hettlement,  instructed  the  chairman,  Mr.  Archer,  to  say  to 
me,  that  any  settlement  I  should  make  in  Oregon  would 
be  protected  by  the  Government,)  was  told  by  the  settlers 
themselves,  that  H.  J.  K.^Wey  persuaded  them  to  settle  in 

•  Fifteen  was  the  number  of  persons  so  conducted,  and  tliey  were 
riot  strngglcrs. 


u 


56 


(hat  territory,  and  conductod  them  from  Calirornhi  thitiuir. 
He  was  furnished  with  a  written  statement  to  that  elVcct, 
which  he  evidently  intended  to  publish.  That  paper  was 
marked,  in  the  body  of  his  report,  E,  rcferrinff  to  Uie 
Appendix.  But  it  was  not  found  there  ;  he  negloeted  to 
make  an}'  mention  of  my  name,  on  account,  doubtless,  ot 
the  very  same  influence  at  Washington,  and  in  other  parts 
of  the  countrv,  which  had  been  for  so  many  rears  vvorkin*c 
against  me. 

Mr.  Slocum,  immediately  after  his  return  to  Washing- 
ton, came  to  Boston;  called  on  the  late  Charles  Bulfinch, 
Esq.,  and  inquired  to  know  my  place  of  residence,  and 
said  lie  had  come  expressly  to  have  an  interview  with  mo. 
Mr.  Bulfinch  addressed  to  me  a  note,  saying  that  a  gentle- 
man at  the  Tremont  House  desired  to  see  me.  I  then; 
met  Mr.  Slocum,  and  we  conversed  about  the  settlement ; 
said  that  he  saw  in  the  hands  of  the  settlers  a  book  of 
mine,  called  "The  Manual  of  the  Oregon  Expedition." 
See  the  book  in  the  Appendix,  under  the  letter  Q ;  an<l 
also  Capt.  Yofing's  statement  as  to  Avhat  led  him  and  his 
party  to  settle  in  Oregon,  and  he  Kcemed  satisfied  that  1 
was  the  founder  of  the  settlement,  and  sai<l  he  should  so 
report  to  the  Government. 

In  1838  I  was  in  Washington,  and  read  Mr.  Sloc^inn's 
rejiort;  but  found  no  mention  of  my  name,  or  any  allusion 
to  my  meritorious  acts  in  Oregon.  The  paper  referred  to 
as  being  in  the  Appendix  was  not  published.  After  sev- 
eral days'  diligent  search,  it  Mas  found  on  file  in  the  State 
Department.     The  following  are  extracts  from  it : 


"I  wish  to  inform  you  in  what  manner  I  came  to  this 
country,  and  what  difliculties  I  have  had  to  encounter.  • 
•  *  *  In  the  first  place  I  was  in  California,  where  1 
met  with  Mr.  Hall  J.  Kelley,  on  his  way  to  the  Columbia 
River,  who  represented  himself  to  be  the  agent  of  a  colo- 
nizing company.  He  wished  my  company,  holding  out 
many  inducements.  •  *  ♦  "We  set  out  from  Monterey 
with  seven  men  and  forty  or  fifty  horses,  and  on  our  way 
through  the  settlements  bought  some  more.  When  we 
arrived  at  the  last  settlement,  St.  Joseph,  we  encamped 
there  five  daj's,  to  get  some  supplies  of  provisions.  I  leit 
the  camp  and  went  to  the  bay  of  San  Francisco,  to  receive 
some  hoi*ses  that  I  had  bought  before  leaving  Monterey. 


57 


On  my  returu  to  8t.  Joseph,  I  found  so\<  ral  men  had 
joined  the  {nrty.  When  wo  set  out  from  the  last  settle- 
ment, I  had  scvonty-seven  horses  and  mules.  Kellcy  and 
the  other  live  men  had  tvvonty-one,  which  made  ninet}'- 
eight  animals  which  I  knew  were  fairly  bought.  The  last 
nine  men  that  joined  the  pai-ty  had  fifty-six  horses. 
Whot'ior  they  bouglit  them,  or  stole  them,  I  do  not  know. 
*  *  *  So  wo  traveled  on,  and  fell  in  with  a  party  of 
the  Hudson  B!i\-  hunters,  and  went  in  company  with  them 
until  we  arrivcil  on  tlie  Columbia.     *     *     * 

"On  my  return  from  Vancouver  to  the  Wallamel,  I 
found  all  persons  cautioned  against  dealing  with  me  ;  or 
auUering  any  of  the  party,  thiit  came  from  ('  lifoniia,  to 
stop  in  their  houses.  During  the  whole  time  l  have  been 
on  the  Columbia,  Dr.  jMcLaughiin  has  not  ceased  U>  pub- 
lish tile  Spanish  letter,*  which  he  never  believed  himself; 
but  used  it  as  a  protest  to  juatily  himself  in  exercising  all 
manner  of  mean  conduct  toward  me/'f 


There  are  some  errors  in  Mr.  Young's  statement,  but 
they  are  immaterial;  and,  being  made  under  the  peculiar 
embarrassments  which  the  oppressive  policy  of  Dr. 
McLaughlin  had  brought  upon  him,  he  was  excusable. 
The  nine  marauders  overtook  my  party  two  days'  jouiney 
from  St.  Joseph,  and  not  at  that  place.  I  neither  gave 
consent  nor  dissent  to  their  traveling  with  the  party ;  tor  I 
could  not  prevent  it ;  and  Capt.  Young  did  not  object. 
After  a  few  days,  those  men,  finding  that  I  was  not  dis- 
posed to  connive  at  their  villany,  sought  an  opportunity 
to  destroy  me.  One  of  them  dischai'ged  his  riile  at  me, 
and  very  nearly  hit  the  mark ;  and  at  a  subsequent  time 
the  rifle  was  again  leveled  at  me,  but  at  the  moment  a 
word  from  Young  staid  the  death-charged  bullet.  The 
letter  of  the  Governor  of  the  Califomias  to  McLaughlin 
did  not  implicate  me  with  those  men.  My  coiTcspondenee 
with  his  Excellency,  Joseph  Figveroa,  testifies  of  his  good 
opinion  of  me.  ■   [See  Narrative  E.  D.,  p.  91.] 

The  first  person  who  came  to  visit  me  in  the  Company's 
hospital,  after  the  physician,  was  Capt.  Young.  His  call 
was  not  so  much  to  sympathize,   (slander  had,  already, 

•  See  Appendix  B. 

t  Being  in  a  hurry,  I  copkd  only  such  (arts  of  it  as  seemed  essential 
to  my  use. 

8 


58 


mensnmbly  repressed  Avllliin  him  any  fr«»<'i'ous  fecrm*^  of 
that  kind,)  as  to  speak  of  the  personal  al)usc  just  received 
from  Dr.  McTiau<?hlin ;  and  of  the  cruel  treatment  which 
he  and  the  party  bcfran  to  receive,  at  the  moment  of  their 
arrival  in  the  Valley  of  the  Wallamet.  lie  remarked,  in 
substance,  that  McLaughlin  had  insulted  him,  to  provoke 
to  a  quarrel,  and  to  get  an  excuse  for  hostilities;  and  that 
the  company 'ri  farmers  on  the  Wallamet  had  peremptory 
orders  not  to  give  or  sell  su^jplies,  nor  all'oj'd  (juaiters  or 
relief  to  any  of  the  part}'.  That,  up  to  that  day,  ho  had 
not  been  able  to  procure  from  them,  at  any  })rice,  any  of 
the  necessaries  of  life.  He  was  satisfied,  he  said,  of  its 
being  the  company's  intentions  to  drive  him  and  the  party, 
if  possible,  from  the  country,  and  prevent  the  sottltiiient. 
Capt.  Young  refers  to  his  troubles  with  McLaughlin  in 
statements  made,  in  1845,  to  Lieut.  Slocum.  In  those 
statements  my  name  is  mentioned,  evidently  with  mistaken 
views  about  me,  and  with  unfriendly  feelings.  In  a  letter 
addressed  to  me,  not  long  after  my  release  from  the  hos- 
pital, is  a  full  demonstration  of  a  deadly  hate.  He  was 
one  to  threaten  my  life,  should  I  come  into  his  noighbor- 
liood.  As  has  been  before  stilted,  he  and  others  of  the 
party  Avere  made  to  believe  me  an  impostor,  and  a  defamer 
of  their  characters.  There  never  was,  I  affirm  it,  the  least 
personal  misunderstanding  between  me  and  Capt.  Young. 
His  inimical  feelings  Avere  wholly  owing  to  the  lying  spirit 
going  out  from  Vancouver,  and  going  about  to  deceive 
those  Avho  were  most  likely  to  be  friends  and  to  stand 
by  me. 

At  my  encampment  near  Monterey,  I  listened  to  the 
thrilling  accounts  of  his  eventful  life.  He  did  go  ;  and  in 
despite  of  the  loudest  Jiuuder  of  the  compan'ys  power, 
became  a  permtmcnt  settler ;  and  greatly,  a  promoter  of 
the  jmblic  interest  in  that  territory.  He  had  been,  twelve 
years,  a  hunter  about  the  wilds  of  Oregon,  California  and 
New  Mexico ;  and  had  lost,  perhaps,  some  of  the  refine- 
ments of  manners  once  possessed ;  and  had  missed  of  some 
of  those  moral  improvements  peculiar  to  Christian  civiliza- 
tion. Nevertheless,  he  was  instrumental,  under  an  over- 
ruling Providence,  of  much  good  in  Oregon. 

I  Avill  further  speak  of  my  acquaintance  with  Captain 
Ewing  Young,  and  of  his  engagement  in  my  Oregon  enter- 
prise.    In  Pueblo,  near  the  poi-t  of  St.  Diego,  I  first  met 


I 


S9 


with  liim  and  h'w  party  ot  hunters.  This  was  the  very 
man  to  ai  company  me ;  liccause,  like  myself,  he  had  an 
iron  constitution,  and  was  inured  to  hardships.  lie  was 
amiost  j)€rsuaded.  The  hist  of  June,  1834,  he  arrived  at 
mv  encampment  on  the  pmirie,  five  miles  eastward  of 
Monterey,  and  consented  to  go  and  settle  in  Oregon,  with, 
ho  vcver,  this  express  undei*standing — that  it  1  hud  de- 
cei\  ed  hhu,  woe  he  to  me. 

The  American  missionaries  ref<'rrcd  to  in  Ilowison's 
report,  were  Jason  and  Daniel  Lee.  I  had  a  personal  ac- 
quaintance with  Jason  Lee,  the  uncle  ot  Daniel,  and  had 
particularly  a  knowledge  of  the  plans  and  opei-ations  of 
both,  during  the  short  period  ot  their  acting  the  part  of 
ambassadors  of  Christ.  Experience  and  observation,  and 
what  I  have  read  in  the  l)0()k  of  nature,  concerning  them, 
qualify  me  to  judge  as  to  the  consistency  of  their  course  of 
conduct,  while  missionaries.  Mr.  Rol)inson  and  his  church 
declared,  that  one  of  the  reasons  of  their  coming  to  Amer- 
ica was,  the  extension  of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom  ;  but, 
there  was  nothing  discoverable,  in  tiie  disposition  and 
strange  conduct  of  the  Lees,  indicating  this  to  be  one  of 
the  inducements  which  led  them  to  that  distant  field  of 
missionary  enterprise. 

Those  men,  like  numerous  others  ot  the  friends  of  the 
Hudson  Bay  Company,  have  mocked  me.  In  all  they  have 
said  and  written,  relative  to  Oregon,  they  have  injm-ed 
mo.  While  it  casts  no  reproach  upon  Christianity,  it 
argues  a  high  degree  of  individual  depravity,  that  a  pro- 
fessed disciple  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  persecutes  an  un- 
oUending  fellow-mortal,  one  striving  hard  to  be  eminently 
instrumental  in  doing  good  to  his  sinful  race. 

Now  I  know  they  did  nothing  to  commence,  or  even  to 
encourage  that  settlement ;  but  did  some  things  to  retard 
emigration  to  that  territory.  Jason  Lee  obligated  himself 
to  the  Hudson  Bay  Company  so  to  do.  I  was  made  ac- 
quainted by  Lee  himself ;,  with  the  circumsttinces  about  it. 
When  I  was  at  Vancouver,  on  the  Columbia,  he  often 
clandestinely  left  the  fort,  and  came  into  my  cabin,  and 
conversed  freely  about  his  plans  and  intentions.  He  once 
said,  he  was  preparing  for  a  great  farming  establishment, 
where  to  produce  supplies  for  other  stations ;  and  also 
said,  he  was  opposed  to  perfions  coming  to  settle  in  tha  t  ter- 
ritory, excepting  such  as  would  belong  to  the  missionary 


i 


60 

family,  and  aid  in  missionary  enterpriye  ;  and,  he  should 
do  nothing  contrary  to  the  wishes  of  Dr.  McLauirhlio, 
who  had  agreed  to  loan  him  $1500.  About  the  time  of 
his  making  these  remarks,  he  received,  in  my  presence,  a 
part  of  the  loan  from  the  Company's  store-houses. 

The  "American  missionaries  "  were  thus  bought  to  co- 
operate in  oi)posing  the  incipient  movements  towards  the 
colonization  of  Oregon.  Neither  of  tliem  Avere  ever  knoAvn 
to  speak  respectfully  of  me.  While  on  a  visit  to  the 
States,  Jason  Lee  was  asked,  at  his  hoarding -house  in  the 
city  of  New  York,  if  Kelley  had  not  something  to  do  in 
settling  Oregon ;  iie  then  replied,  as  afterwards,  in  other 
places,  that  "a  man  b}' the  name  of  Kelley  came  there, 
without  mind  or  means  to  do  any  thing ;  and  went  away." 
How  ungi'ateful !  His  being,  himself,  in  that  delightful 
country,  Avhere  so  many  things  could  contribute  to  his 
comfort  and  happiness,  was  ail  diie  the  Kelley  whom  he 
abused.  It  w^as  as  though  I  had  taken  him  by  the  hand 
and  conducted  him  thither,  all  the  way  from  New  England. 
He  knew  me  to  be  encompassed  by  implacable  and  deter- 
mined enemies,  both  in  that  and  this  countrj'.  It  was, 
therefore,  unkind.  It  was  cruel.  It  had,  somewhat,  the 
appearance  of  sinning  against  God  with  a  high  hand  and  a 
loud  voice. 

Jason  Lee  is  dead.  He  was  'lit  down  in  the  vigor  of 
manhood- — in  the  midst  of  his  dixy 2.  I  would  not  utter  a 
harsh  word  in  reference  to  his  memory ;  but  the  living 
force  me  to  do  it.  Deeply  do  I  regret  the  circumstances 
Avhi;!h  drive  me,  in  this  instance,  to  the  vindication  of  my 
breeding  character.  Faith  and  repentance,  I  trust,  have 
fixed  his  abode  eternally  among  the  glorified  and  rejoicing 
spirits  in  the  shining  fields  of  heaven.  He,  somewhat 
suddenly,  left  the  missionary  station  and  a  sick  wife,  to 
make  a  visit  to  New  England ;  and  ou  his  way  was 
murdered  by  an  Indian.  He  had  "finished  his  course." 
"As  for  me,"  through  the  remainder  of  my  course,  I  will 
faithfully  "serve  the  Lord."  "Let  me  die  the  death  of 
the  righteous,  and  let  my  last  end  be  like  his." 

Daniel  Lee  has  written  a  book  entitled,  "  Ten  Years  in  Ore- 
g<  -  "  which  serves  wall  the  purposes  and  interests  of  the  Com- 
pany, and  deceives  those  who  read  •♦a  pages.  Like  the  book 
giving  a  History  of  the  North-west  'nast  of  North  America,  by 
Robert  Greenhow,  translator  and  librarian  to  the  State  Depart- 


I 

at 


61 

nient — compiled  and  printed  by  order  of  the  Senate  of  the  Uni- 
ted States — makes  me  its  vi(  o".  Lee  was  not  ignorant  of  my 
name,  and  my  devotion  to  the  cause  of  Christianity  and  benev- 
olent achieveraentg  in  behalf  of  mankind  ;  yet,  he  is  silent  con- 
cerning me — says  nothing  of  the  laborious  efforts  and  expensive 
sacrifices  in  the  lonely  work  of  carrying  the  blessings  of  Chris- 
tian civilizatton  itito  the  very  country  of  which  he  pretended  to 
give  a  fair  history.  He  however  makes  a  single  allusion  to  me, 
and  to  my  party,  which  constituted  the  first  American  colonizing 
settlement  beyond  the  Rocky  Mountains.  It  reads  as  follows : 
"  A  party  headed  by  Mr.  Ewing  Young,  an  American  from  one 
of  the  western  States,  arrived  in  the  "VVallamet  from  California, 
embracing  about  a  dozen  persons,  most  of  them  from  the  United 
States.  SoniC  of  them  had  bp^n  sailors,  some  hunters  in  the 
mountains  and  in  the  region  borderir.g  on  California  to  the  south, 
and  one  Mr.  Kelly,  a  traveler,  a  New  England  man,  who 
entertained  some  very  extravagant  notions  in  regard  to  Oregon, 
which  he  published  on  his  return." 

I  shall  not  trouble  myself  to  say  much  in  regard  to  this  un- 
feeling man,  or  to  this  act  of  brutal  cruelty  towards  the  victim 
of  his  book.  It  will  be  noticed  that  one  part  of  my  name  is 
artfully  omitted — the  other  part  misspelt.  It  was  purposely 
so  done  to  deceive  the  reader,  and  to  conceal  the  real  New 
England  man.  "  On  his  reUirn,he  published  some  very  extrav- 
agant notions."  Have  I  been  patriotic  and  faithful,  and  repre- 
sented that  country  as  being  the  finest  on  which  the  sun  shines  ; 
and  as,  possessing  natural  advantages  for  agriculture  and  com- 
merce, unsurpassed  in  any  other  part  of  the  earth  ?  I  have  so 
been,  and  so  published ;  and  my  notions  are  not  extravagant. 
I  returned  in  183G  ;  and  although  suffering  from  feeble  health — 
at  times  prostration  of  health — I  continued  to  publish,  for  sev- 
eral years,  chiefly  in  nevrspapers,  my  views  concerning  that  fair 
and  charming  territory.  I  prepared  a  memoir  for  Congress, 
relative  to  my  explorations  ui  Alta  California  and  Oregon,  at 
the  request  of  the  Committee  on  Foreign  Affairs.  See  Report 
No.  101.  House  of  Reps.,  Jan.  4,  1839.  Nothing  very  ex- 
travagant is  found  in  it ;  nothing  but  plain  truths  can  be  found 
in  that  ^document ;  nothing  but  such,  in  all  the  mass  of  publica- 
tions from  ray  pen,  which,  between  the  years  1825  and  1832, 
were  so  freely  spread  over  the  States,  to  enlighten  about  Oregon, 
and  to  induce  emigration  thither  ;  and  to  open  that  remote  region 
to  missionary  enterprise.  Both  the  editor  of  the  Boston  *'  Ram- 
bler," and  the  author  of  the  '*  Ten  Years  in  Oregon,"  had  vead 
Kelley's  books  and  tracts,  and  were  alike  well  informed  in  that 


BomaBBEmamm 


62 


part  of  his  history  which  appertained  to  the  settlemei.t  of  Ore- 
gon. Both  were  for  persecuthig  Kelley  ;  yet  how  differently  do 
they  speak  of  him !  It  might  be  inferred  from  Loe's  remark, 
as  quoted  from  his  book,  that  my  name  was  not  even  to  be  asso- 
ciated with  those  of  the  pioneers  of  that  settlement. 

Those  missionaries  were  the  last  men  in  the  world,  who  should 
claim  to  have  commenced  the  colonization  of  Oregon.  They  at 
first,  actually  opposed  it.  Daniel  Lee,  about  the  year  1837, 
under  pretence  of  ill  health,  retired,  for  a  season,  to  the  Sand- 
wich Islands.  He  left  the  •  healthful  valley  of  the  Wallamet  for 
the  arid  plains  of  tropical  islands.  While  there,  he  wrote  letter  i 
to  his  friends  in  New  England,  giving  them  absurd,  not  extrav- 
agant notions  of  Oregon,  accounts  wholly  uninviting  to  emigra- 
tion. 

Faithful  missionaries  of  the  cross  never  flinch  from  duty. 
Meanness  and  treachery  are  never  traits  in  their  character.  They 
are  useful,  and  help  to  keep  in  progress  improvements  in  human 
affaiVs.  Their  ways  are  above  the  ways  of  mean  and  wicked 
men  ;  and  they  live  in  advance  of  the  times,  and  not  back  of 
them,  and  can  triumph  over  the  powers  of  darkness,  and  glory 
in  tribulation. 

I  regret  the  necessity  of  administering  rebuke  to  the  per.  ^ns 
particularized  on  thot^e  pages.  It  is  just  I  should  do  it,  after 
twenty  years'  forbearance.  They  belong  to  a  class  of  enemies 
who  know  my  manner  of  life,  and  my  sufferings  ;  yet,  they  have 
no  sympathy  for  me ;  yet,  to  their  conduct  is  to  be  attributed 
the  loss  of  my  health,  the  entire  bereavement  of  a  beloved  fam- 
ily, the  severest  of  afflictions ;  and  the  persecution  armed  with 
a  thousand  daggers,  following  me  up  and  piercing  me  through. 
I  say,  it  is  not  my  duty,  silently,  quietly,  without  a  degree  of 
the  resistance  my  feeble  nature  is  capable  of  making,  to  submit 
to  be  robbed  of  my  Oregon  achievement  by  persons  having 
neither  hearts  to  plan,  nor  abilities  to  execute  a  work  of  that 
sort, — a  work,  benevolent  in  purpose  and  herculean  in  perform- 
ance, and  replete  with  benefits  to  mankind. 

The  Messrs.  Lse,  at  the  time  of  their  appointment  as  mission- 
aries to  Oregon,  were  improving  their  education  at  Wilbraham 
Academy,  Mass.  On  the  KUh  of  October,  188^,  an,  appro- 
priation of  $3000  was  made  for  their  outfit.  Afterwards  Jason 
Lee  was  directed  to  seek  an  interview  with  Capt.  Wyeth, 
who  had  arrived  in  Boston  from  Oregon.  The  information  re 
oeiv  d  from  Wyeth  fully  verified  the  statements  made  in  my  cir- 
culars and  pamphlets  concerning  the  Indians  in,  and  the  route  to 
Ofpgon. 


J. 


03 

Daniel  Lee,  in  his  "  Ten  Years  in  Oregon,"  and  the  late 
J.  Lee,  in  his  lectures,  assi<i;n  untrue  causes  for  that  mission — 
insinuating  that  they  themselves  were  its  originators. 

"  An  event,"  says  D.  Lee,  "  took  place  in  the  year  1832, 
which  directed  the  attention  of  the  American  churches  to 
Oregon.  Four  Indians  from  beyond  the  Rocky  Mountains,  be- 
longing to  the  Nesperce  tribe,  accompanied  some  of  the  white 
trappers  to  the  city  of  St.  Louis,  whei'e  they  made  enquiries  of 
Gen.  Clarke,  the  Indian  Agent,  about  the  book  which  they  had 
been  informed  the  Great  Spirit  had  given  :o  white  men."  J.  Lee 
had  often  represented  those  Indians  as  being  a  delegation  to  St. 
Louis  to  enquire.for  the  ^vord  of  the  Groat  Spirit — and  that  he 
responded  to  the  "  Macedonian  cry." 

JS  either  Daniel  Lee  nor  Jason  Lee,  has  ever  made  a  single 
allusion  to  my  effectual  appeals  to  the  Christian  public  for  mis- 
sionaries to  accompany  me  to  Oregon.  In  D.  Lee's  book,  men- 
tion is  once  made,  and  thai  with  the  utmost  caution,  of  one  Mr. 
Kelly. 

The  late  Maj.  Pilcher,  an  Indian  Agent  in  the  Platte  coun- 
try, gave,  while  at  Washington,  in  1889,  the  following  version 
of  the  story  of  the  Nesperce  Indian  delegation.  Four  thought- 
less and  sottish  Indians  accompanied  Capt.  Sublette's  party  of 
hunters  to  his  (Pilcher's)  agency.  They  seemed  to  have  no  par- 
ticular object  in  traveling.  Sublette  refused  to  let  them  pro- 
ceed further  in  his  company,  unless  they  .vould  there  obtain  a 
passport,  showing  a  good  reason  for  a  visit  into  the  States. 
Such  a  passport  would  be  of  pecuniary  advantage  to  him.  Mr. 
Pilcher,  willing  to  favor  the  Captain's  interest,  furnished  the  In- 
dians with  a  reason  and  excuse  for  their  visit  to  St.  Louis,  as 
stated  by  the  Lees. 

In  the  year  1832,  I  publish'cd  several  articles  in  the  Zion's 
Herald,  calling  for  missionaries  to  accompany  the  expedition,  and 
two  years  after,  Jason  and  Daniel  Lee  were  sent  to  commence 
missionary  labors  in  the  valley  of  the  W^allamet.  They  went 
to  Oregon  in  Capt.  Sublette's  company  of  trappers  and  hunters 
and  arrived  in  that  country  a  few  weeks  previous  to  myself..  The 
two  following  testimonials  will  exnlalr;  about  it, 


The  Affidavit  of  Mr.  Brown. 
Who  for  many  years  was  the  editor  of  Zions  Herald^  the  lead- 
ing  paper  of  the  Methodist  community  in  New  England. 
I,  Wm.  C.  Brown,  do  testify  and  declare  that,  in  the  year 
1831,  and  for  several  years  before  and  ailerward,  I  was  the  ed- 
itor and  one  of  the  proprietors  of  Zion's  Herald,  a  religious  paper, 


64 

published  in  thia  city,  and  sustaining  parfcicularlj  tho  faith 
and  doctrines  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  In  the  above 
year,  I  published  for  Mr.  Hall  J.  Kelley,  a  series  of  letters  ad- 
dressed to  a  Member  of  Congress,  developing  fully  his  plans  for 
settling  the  Oregon  Temtory,  and  also  the  true  principles  and 
objects  of  colonization,  as  he  understood  them. 

At  other  times,  Mr,  Kelly  made  philanthropic  ap[)cal3  to  the 
pubUc,  through  the  medium  of  our  paper,  chiefly  with  the  view 
to  excite  the  minds  of  the  Christian  community  to  the  importance 
of  founding  religious  ^institutions  in  that  Territory. 

Mr.  Kelley  is  one  of  the  first  who  explored  Oregon  Territory, 
and,  judging  from  what  I  have  seen  and  hoard,  he  unquestiona 
bly  contributed  to  tho  first  settlement  made  in  Oregon,  and  per- 
haps to  his  zeal  and  persevering  efforts,  is  the  religious  commu- 
nity chiefly  indebted  for  their  missionary  establishments  in  that 
country. 

In  testimony  of  all  which,  I  have  hereunto  afiixed  my  seal 
and  subscribed  my  name,  this  30th  day  of  January,  1843. 

WM.  C.  BROWN. 


i$>  t 


Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts. 

Suffolk,  ss.  January  30,  1843.  Personally  appeared  the 
within  Wm.  C.  Brown,  and  made  oath  to  the  truth  of  the 
within  statement,  before  me, 

JOHN  P.  BIGELOW,  J.  P. 

Other?  attribute  to  Capt.  Nathaniel  Wyeth's  spirit  of  enter- 
prise, that  great  and  philanthropic  work.  They  that  "hate"  me 
say  these  things  and  viciously  belie  the  history  of  Oregon,  and 
would  have  all  other  persons  say  and  do  the  same.  Wyeth,  I 
have  reason  to  believe,  knew  comparatively  little  about  the  con- 
try  buyond  the  Rocky  Mountains,  marked  on  all  maps  'unknown,' 
until  he  road  my  pvihlications  concerning  it.  Some  time  in  the 
year  1820,  he  came  to  me  for  the  loan  of  some  of  ray  looks  and 
documents  concerning  the  far  west,  and  the  programme  of  the  ex- 
pedition in  which  he  would  enlist,  and  he  enrolled  his  name  among 
the  names  of  several  hundred  others  in  the  emigrants"  book. 
The  following  extract  of  his  letter  dated  Philadelphia,  Aug.  30, 
1831,  shows  further  about  it:  "I  write  to  inform  you  that  I  shall 
not  return  as  soon  as  I  expected,  hp.vir.g  been  detained  here  on 
business.  I  shall  be  in  Boston  about  thfl  fifth  of  nextir')ntL,  and 
will  see  you  as  soon  thereafter  as  practicable  in  regard  to  my 
application  for  a  situation  in  tho  first  exjHidition  to  the  Oregon 
coun^  y.     Dr.  Jacob  Wyeth,  a  brother  of  mine,  wishes  to  enter 


sh; 
ini 


In 
tliu 


tak 
and 
acci 
sac 
but 

teri 
ot 


m 


Go 

his  name  as  an  emisjrunt."  Soon  aller,  tliitJ  Wycth,  asso- 
ciatini^  hhnscU  with  .some  of  the  meichantc}  of  Boaton, 
withdrew  his  name  and  got  np  a  hunting  and  trading 
party  of  his  own,  and  in  '82  left  for  Oregon  ;  not  to  settle 
nor  to  encourage  the  settlement,  but  to  trap  and  trade 
with  the  Indians  and  oppose  the  settlement.  His  Ijrothcr, 
Dr.  Wyeth,  John  Ball,  Calvin  Tibbets  and  J.  Sinclair, 
whose  names  were  enrolled  for  the  expedition,  migrated  in 
Wyeth's  party.  Mr.  Sinclair  assigns  a  reason  for  so  trav- 
eling, in  a  letter  to  me  dated  New  Yoiik,  Feb.  22,  1832  : 
"  V.'^hat  dill'erence  would  it  make  to  the  Society,  should  I 
go  to  tlie  Oregon  country  with  Capt.  Wyeth's  i»arty,  if  in 
the  country  when  the  expedition  arrives."  Two  of  these 
persons  only,  Tibbets  and  Ball,  reached  Oregon  ;  they  had 
no  connection  with  Wyeth's  party,  whose  views  were  com- 
mercial and  adverse  to  colonization. 

Dr.  Wyeth  having  reached  the  llocky  Mountains,  for 
some  reason  known  to  himself,  and  not  to  me,  tuiii<  d  back 
and  wrote  a  book  called,  ''Wj'cth's  Oregon  Expedition." 
It  was  written  by  the  pen  of  Dr.  Watirhouse,  of  Cam- 
lu'ido'e.  Honorable  mention  is  made  of  niv  name  on  some 
of  its  pages.  The  bo»»k  attributes  to  the  writings  auvi  per- 
sonal persuasions  "of  H.  J.  Keik>y  all  that  led  to  'Wyeth's 
Exi)edition. '  " 

Now  in  view  of  what  has  been  said,  can  tl;ere  l«»f  a 
shadow  of  doubt,  or  even  the  slightest  misgiving  in  the 
mind  of  any  candid  person,  what  led  to  the  settlement  oi 
Oregon ?  lie  is  a  deceivir  and  u  iiar,  wlio  would  liave  my 
countryman  believe  that  Wyeth  or  the  niiseionaiies  laid 
the  foundiition  of  the  settlement,  nnd  that  Hall  J.  Kelley. 
t(M)k  no  part  in  bringinr  about  tLuit  .^Teat  and  good  work. 
I  repeat  wliat  I  Iuim'  <»uee  before  said,  and  declare  it  trut  , 
that  any  personal  advantage  to  be  deri\'cd  f»"on)  founding 
the  first  settlement  in  the  far-oil"  wilds  of  Oregon,  is 
wholly  and  iustly  claimed  by  me.  That  was  an  under- 
^taking  fraught  with  great  discouragements  and  difliculties, 
and  attended  with  great  expense.  It  rei^uired  for  its 
accomplishment  much  fortitude  and  i)erseveranee,  besides 
such  sacrifices  o£  time  and  property  as,  at  that  time,  none 
but  myself  wmmned  w^illin^  to  make. 

Furttiennore.  T  brou^rlit  al»out  the  settlement  (■■■.  the  in- 
terior of  Calil-^rnlii.  *•  stat<^'  in  the  petition  (No.  19)  ; 
of  this  I  am  aL*o  eeruiu.     My  ciicuiiuus  route  through 


I 


66 


II 


I  ;  1. 
( 


Mexico,  instead  of  a  direct  one  across  the  Rocky  Moun- 
tains, was  wholly  induced  by  a  desire  ol  efl'ecting  some 
arrangements  with  oificers  of  the  IVIexicrai  government  and 
distinguished  individuals  in  that  country  relative  to  the 
fish  and  lumber  trade  between  the  ('olumbia  river  and  the 
Mexican  western  ports ;  and  tor  extending,  in  proper  time, 
my  colonizing  operations  into  High  California.  And  I 
did,  while  in  Mexico,  make  arrangements  in  ])art  for  being 
constituted  an  Emprcsarias  for  the  settlement  ol  the  inte- 
rior of  that  country. 

The  first  petitlcix  to  Congress,  presented  in  the  Senate 
and  referred  to  the  select  committee  on  Oregon — after  my 
return  home  from  the  Far  West — set  forth  the  things  done 
and  sudercd  in  colonizing  Oregon  and  bringing  about  the 
settlement  of  High  California.  The  accompanying  docu- 
ments substantiated  its  allegations  and  verified  every  state- 
ment. The  chairman  of  that  committee  being  satisfied  of 
the  facts,  wrote  me  as  follows : 

"Washington  City,  Feb.  U,  1840. 

^^ Dear  Sir;  Your  letter,  with  the  extracts  cut  from  the 
papers,  have  both  l^een  received,  and  for  which,  please  ac- 
cept my  tlianks.  I  hop*  you  have  seen  m}^  Oregon  bill, 
which  was  published  at  my  request,  both  in  the  Globe  and 
Intelligencer. 

"Government  must  soon  act  with  decision  on  this  subject, 
now  becoming  truly  important  in  a  national  point  of  view. 
When  any  thing  definite  is  done,  your  claims  would  then 
present  themselves  with  a  power  not  to  be  resistv'd,  upon 
this  Government ;  and  should  I  remain  in  Congress,  you 
may  depend  en  at  least  my  assistance. 

"Feeling  deep  sympathy  for  your  losses,  hardships  and 
afilictions,  I  remain  Yours  truly. 

"  Hall  J.  Kellev,  A.  M.  L.  F.  LINN." 

The  following  is  an  extract  from  a  subsequent  letter : 

"  When  Congress  takes  up  this  subject  of  the  Oregon 
Territory  seriously,  I  do  not  entertain  a  doubt  that  jour 
claim  will  be  awarded.  I  say  seriously,  because  notiiing 
now  seems  to  excite  any  attention  but  dollars  and  cents, 
and  squabbling  about  political  power.  To-morrow  I  will 
endeavor  to  get  up  the  Oregon  bill,  and  try  at  least  to  get 


bat: 


67 


an  expression  on  the  part  of  the  Senate  in  regaril  to  our 
title.  I  sincerely  sympathize  with  your  misfortunes  and 
providential  atilictions. 

"Hoping  that  bettor  and  happiei;  days  are  in  store,  I 


remain, 


"J.  II,\L.L  Kelley,  Esq. 


Most  RcspcctfuU} , 


L.  r.  LINN." 


The  portion  of  California  northward  ot  the  Janquin 
River,,  exoeptiuu;  some  spots  on  the  coast,  as  late  as  1834, 
remained  unsettled.  Contemplating  its  coloni;iation,  I  had 
several  intcrviewb,  while-  at  Monterey,  in  the  summer  of 
that  year,  Avith  CI  en.  Figucroa,  the  Governor  of  the  Cali- 
fomias.  I  was  desirous  of  public  patronage  and  his  co- 
operation ;  and,  also,  of  making  such  minute  explorations 
as  would  all'ord  a  correct  knowledge  of  the  topography 
and  capabilities  of  the  country,  and  enable  nii.'  to  delineate 
its  prominent  features  upon  a  map,  pri."parat(>ry  to  the  in- 
troduction of  settlers  from  a  distant   land  into  that  region. 

The  following  is  a  reply  to  a  letter  upon  the  subject, 
addressed  by  mo  to  tlie  Governor : 

;.^A^  "Es  muy  laudable  el  poueamieuto  de  V.  y 
<  L.  s.  ^  nm}'  digno  de  su  ilustraciou  el  proyecto,  de  re- 
^  s^,^^  ^  conoscx  los  lerrenos  incultos  de  este  Territori*! 
hastti  la  linea  dondo  confma  la  Iiepul)lica  para  levantar  un 
mapa  esacto  que  de  a  conoser  al  mundo  googralicameute, 
la  cituaeion,  i)roducciones,  y  demas  elemcntos  de  riguera 
de  que  es  susceptible  este  pais,  y  que  aun  son  desconosidos. 
Mucho  plaser  tendria  yo  en  contribuir  a  unos  descubrlmi- 
entos  tan  imjiortantes,  poro  me  encuentro  sin  facultades 
para  proteier  la  empresa,  por  estar  reservadas  al  supremo 
Govlerno  General  tanto  el  couceder  la  licencia  para  levan- 
tar mapas,  como  el  decretar  la  erogacion  de  gastos  en  esa 
o  cualesquiora  otra  empresa. 

"En  tal  concepto,  y  en  el  de  que  deseo  vivamente  los 
adelantos  de  mi  patrla,  reconoeido  ala  generosa  disposicion 
que  Y.  me  maniliesta  para  emprender  una  obra  tau  difieil, 
coino  arriesgada,  y  dispendiosa,  soy  de  sentir  que  su  pro- 
yecto, lo  someta  ala  deliveracion  del  supremo  Gcv^ieruo 
aquien  yo  protesto  remitirlo  y  recomendarlo  con  el  empeno 
que  en  mi  concepto  merece ;  pero  csto  no  lo  vcrilicare 
hasta  que  V.  me  conteste  si  es  o  no  conforme,  y  se  propone 
aguardar  la  resoiucion. 


(58 

"Tcngo  el  lionor  do  protcptar  a  V.  miiccpclo  y  consid- 

eracion. 

•'Dies  y  Libertad.    Monterey,  2G  de  Juniu,  dc  1834. 

"JOSK  FIGUEROA. 
••  Sor.  Don  Ham,  ,T.  Kki.1,ky." 


Ij 


Ml 


? 


[Translation  of  the  preceding  letter.] 
"Your   tliouiiht   is 'very  laudaljle,   and   very 


<  L.  s.  ^  worthy  of  your  illustration  is*  the  project  of  sur- 
'  v-^v^.-/  ^  voying  the  uncultivated  lands  of  this  territory  as 
far  as  the  boundary  line  of  the  Republic,  for  the  purpose 
of  constructing  a  map  which  would  geographically  show 
the  world  the  situation,  productions,  and  other  elements 
of  wealth  of  which  this  country  is  susceptible,  and  which, 
as  yet,  are  imknown. 

"  I  shall  feel  much  pleased  in  contributing  towards  such 
important  discoveries ;  but  I  find  myself  without  faculties 
to  protect  the  undertaking,  it  being  reserved  to  the  supreme 
government  as  Avell  the  gi'anting  of  license  to  construct 
maps,  as  the  furnishing  of  funds  for  this  or  an}'  other  un- 
dertalcing. 

"Wherefore,  and  because  I  earnestly  desire  the  pros- 
perity of  my  country,  grateful  for  the  generous  disposition 
which  you  have  manifested  to  undertake  a  work  as  diffi- 
cult, as  dangerous  and  expensive,  I  am  of  opinion  you 
should  submit  your  project  to  the  supreme  government,  to 
which  I  will  remit  it  and  recommend  it  with  th"  efGcacy  it 
deserves ;  but  this  I  shall  not  do  until  you  inform  me 
Avhether  it  will  be  agreeable  to  you,  and  whether  you  pro- 
pose to  wait  the  answ^er. 

"  God  and  Liberty.     Monterey,  June  26,  1834. 

"  Senor  Don  Hall  J.  Kellky." 


"JOSE  I'lGUEROA. 


Besides  Mr.  Ijinn  of  the  Senate,  Caleb  Cuj?hing  of  the 
House  pledged  me  his  advocacy-  of  my  cause  in  Congress. 
That  eminent  jurist  and  far-sighted  statesman,  in  reference 
to  the  petition  just  mentioned,  wrote  as  follows  : 

"Washington,  Jan.  20,  1840. 
''Dear  Sir:  I  have  yours  of  the  11th.     You  may  de- 
pend on  my  continued  purpose  to  see  justice  done  to  you 
U8  far  as  I  have  the  power.     The  object  of  the  settlement 
of   the   Oregon   question   is   every  day  gaining   friends. 


i 


69 


Scvcial  oi  tlu!  new  mcMiibcrs  Ironi  the  West  are  enuagcd 
ardently  in  the  matter.  And  I  cannot  but  liope  that  c^onie- 
thintr  eilieient  will  he  done  hy  the  present  Consiress. 


"  I  am,  vours  trulv, 
Mk.  Kf.llev. 


C.  CU8IIING." 


i 


No.  o7.  My  moral  movements  about  the  American 
fchores  ot  the  Paeltle,  as  averred  in  the  i)etition,  1  am  cer- 
tain induced  the  settlement  made  by  Capt.  John  A.  Sutter, 
on  tlu!  bank  of  the  Sacramento.  Alter  m}'  return  home  to 
Boston  from  those  shores,  I  often  met  Mr.  Shaw,  ot  Avhom 
I  have  si)oken  on  some  previous  page,  and  had  conversa- 
tion with  that  gentleman  concerning  my  exploits  in  Cali- 
foi'uia  and  Oregon,  and  the  interest  he  took  in  my  great 
enterprises.  On  one  occasion  he  rehited  what  led  Sutter 
to  settle  in  California.  When  at  San  Francisco,  he  tell  in 
com])any  Avitli  Mr.  Sutter,  who  had  just  come  doAvn  the 
coast  to  thr^  place  for  the  i)urpose  of  trade.  Believing 
him  to  be  an  enterprising  and  active  man,  he  advised  him 
to  go  and  select  some  fair  spot  in  the  valley  of  the  Sacra- 
mento, and  there  settle,  saying  that  an  acquaintance  of  his, 
Hall  J.  Kellc}',  had  gone  up  through  that  valley  to  Ore- 
gon Avitli  a  party  to  colonize  that  country,  and  purposed  to 
return  and  found  settlements  in  Califoraia.  Mr.  Sutter 
replied  that  he  had  no  ready  means  for  doing  it ;  that  he 
had,  hoAvcver,  a  draft  on  the  Eussian  settlement.  This, 
Mr.  Shaw  said  he  would  honor,  and  supply  him  with 
funds.  He  then  said  he  would  go,  and  having  engaged 
some  working  men,  pursuant  to  Mr.  Shaw's  advice,  settled 
in  that  valley.  Mr.  Sutter,  as  I  was  told,  had  resided 
some  years  at  St.  Louis ;  but  after  the  colonization  of 
Oregon  had  been  commenced,  he  migrated,  with  some 
party  of  emigrants  or  Imnters,  to  that  territory;  first  with 
a  view  to  traffic,  and  then,  if  they  were  found  favorable, 
♦o  settle.  After  a  while  at  the  Hudson  Bay  Company's 
establishment  at  Vancouver,  he  left  in  one  of  the  Com- 
pany's vessels  for  San  Francisco,  with  a  view  of  trade,  as 
alrcadj^  stated. 

At  a  time  when  in  Washington,  in  1848,  I  inquired  of 
Greeuhow  for  some  of  those  papers ;  particular!}',  an 
advertisement  printed  in  London,  1795,  in  four  different 
laugnages.     I  was  curious  to  regain  possession  of  that  an- 


70 


Hi 


iw 

cient  document.  He  denied  knowinij  where  it  was.  I, 
also,  wished  to  know  about  the  medal.  Tliat,  he  said, 
was  in  tlie  patent-olfiee.  It  was  not  in  the  ])atent-olIice, 
nor  had  it  been  there.  I  next  called  at  tlie  li])rary  which 
Avas  under  his  care,  to  see  Capt.  Ingraham's  journals,  hav- 
ing obtained  permission  to  examine  them,. with  tlie  inten- 
tion ot  copyinf?  some  statements  relative  to  Kendrick's 
voyage  and  the  land  purchases.  At  iirst,  Greenhow  being 
absent,  the  second  librarian  said  the  journals  ai)peared  to 
be  missing ;  but  he  would  make  further  search.  After 
calling  several  times,  some  days  intervening  the  calls,  and 
finding  they  had  not  been  retmned  to  the  archives,  I  ad- 
dressed a  note  to  the  Secretary  ol  State,  and  then,  two  or 
three  weeks  after  my  first  inquiries,  those  journals,  full  of 
valuable  information  concerning  the  claim,  were  forth- 
coming. 

My  name  (a  part  only)  occurs  but  once  in  the  hiritory 
by  Greenhow;  although  the  tbirgs  which  I  had  done  and 
suilercd  for  Oregon  were  known  to  that  author ;  and  my 
memoir,  embraced  in  the  congressional  document,  (Rep. 
No.  101,  House  of  Kepresentativcs,  1839,)  showing  what 
led  to  tlie  settlement  of  that  territory,  was  before  him, 
showing  that  Hall  J.  Kelhy,  without  eveu  a  single  coad- 
jutor by  his  side,  to  assist,  i)laiited  the  germ  of  empire  on 
the  Pacific  shores  ;  an  event  sufficiently  remarkable  to  have 
attracted  his  attention,  and  to  have  entitled  me  to  some 
more  respect  than  he  seemed  disposed  to  pay  me. 

On  the  14th  page  he  briefly  speaks  of  me,  omitting,  as 
is  the  polic}^  and  uniform  practice  ot  my  enemies,  a  part 
of  my  name  ;  and  misspelling  the  other  part.  The  Chris- 
tian names  of  all  other  persons,  and  i\\by  are  numerous, 
introduced  into  the  book,  even  the  longest  of  Spanish 
names,  requiring  two  or  tluee  long  breaths  to  utter,  arc 
remembered  and  correctly  written  ;  but,  strange  as  it  is, 
the  shoit  Hall  J.,  printed  with  fair  type,  in  a  multiplicity 
of  papers  which  were  before  his  eyes,  was  unseen,  and  the 
Kelley  so  indistinctly  recollected,  as  to  be  mis.'^pelt.  In 
Lee's  book  it  is  Kelly,  and  so  in  Greenhow's  ;  which  thing 
indicates  their  having  concerted  what  to  sa}'. 

After  marking  my  name  as  nothing  worth,  he  throws  to 
me  a  sugar-plum,  calls  me  patriotic  ;  and  then,  as  if  wholly 
to  turn  the  mind  f  om  thoughts  of  Kelley,  suddenly,  with 
a  sort  ot  admiration,  turns  to  the  name  and  exploits  of 


71 


as 


Cnpi.  Wycth,  whom  he  makes  the  hero  ol  the  remainder 
of  liis  l)ook.  In  describing  (p.  191)  the  expeditions  of 
Wyetli  and  Bonneville,  he  slips  meanly  by  the  origin  of 
those  enterprises,  and  keeps  dark  concerning  him  who 
caused  them. 

With  great  injnstice  to  me,  (p.  199,)  he  says:  "The 
first  emigrations  from  the  United  State;;,  for  the  purpose 
of  settlement,  without  any  special  commercial  views, 
appear  to  have  been  made  in  1832."  There  is  a  sentence 
in  Ilowison's  repoi-t,  of  similar  meaning.  The  style  of 
this  and  that  are  so  similar,  I  should  think  one  pen  wrote 
them  both.  However,  it  matters  not  who  writes,  if  the 
truth  is  told. 

Two  persons  only,  that  year,  reached  Oregon  for  the 
purpose  of  settlement.  Others  leaving  Nev  England  in 
their  company,  were  frightened  by  deceiving  hunters  in 
the  service  of  some  fur  company,  and  tm-ned  back  before 
far  ascending  the  eastern  slope  of  the  Rocky  Mountains. 
These  facts  were  known  to  Greenhow,  at  the  time  of 
writing  the  book ;  and  he  should  not  have  been  so  careless 
of  my  character,  as  not  to  have  mentioned  them. 

He  further  says  :  "Three  years  afterwards,  a  small  col- 
ony of  Americans  was  established  on  the  Wallamet,  under 
the  direction  of  Mr.  Jason  Lee  and  other  Methodist  cler- 
gymen." This  statement  is  false ;  and  was  made  to  award 
the  credit  of  the  "  fh'st  establishment  "  in  that  country  to 
the  "American  missionaries."  There  were  no  persons 
with  the  Methodist  clergymen  to  compose  a  colony.  Of 
course,  no  colony  was  established  under  their  direction. 
Two  years  afterwards,  not  three,  a  colony  of  Americans 
was  established  on  the  Wallamet,  including  the  missiona- 
ries, by  the  "patriotic  American"  whose  name  is  so  art- 
fully and  cruelly  Icept  out  of  sight  in  Greenhow's  state- 
ments . 

His  silence  concerninir  me  is  not  a  matter  of  which  I 
would  complain,  farther  than  it  has  a  hard  bearing  upon 
my  character  and  fortune.  It  has  had  a  terrible  bearing 
upon  both. 

He  might,  with  consistency,  have  interspersed  his  book 
with  things  relative  to  my  enterprise  and  adventures, — 
spoken  of  philanthropic  projects  and  mighty  achieve- 
ments,— of  hardships,  perils,  and  "hair-breadth  escapes," 
— and  of  remarkable  interposing  providences  of  God.     I 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
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hav€  no  vanity  to  be  gratified  in  his  doing  it ;  but  justice 
demanded  it  to  be  done. 

Enough,  I  trust,  has  been  auid  to  satisfy  the  i*casonable 
reader,  that  Greenliow  belongs  to  the  troops  oi  the  Hud- 
son Bay  Company,  marshaled  and  drilled  for  tlio  special 
servi'"^  of  destroying  me,  and  of  preventing  the  govern- 
ment recognition  of  the  claim  of  some  of  our  citizens  to 
lands  now  occupied  and  coveted  by  that  conipan}'. 

During  the  wearisome  yeara,  when  hardshii)s  had  broken 
me  down,  and  sickness  had  rendertnl  me  incapable  of  self- 
defence,  my  enemies  were  bold  and  unmei'ciful.  At  times 
they  almost  overwhelmed  me  with  troubles ;  thisy  perse- 
cuted nigh  unto  death. 


CHAP.  VH. 

I  have  somewhat  fuilhcr  to  state  concerning  the  laying 
of  the  foundation  of  the  firat  settlements  in  Oregcn  ;  and 
will  adduce  incontroveilible  evidence  in  [)root  of  what  I 
shall  state.  A  friend  at  Washington,  in  1*848,  published 
in  the  National  Intelligencer  the  following  honorable  notice 
ol  me : 

HALL  J.  KELLEY. 

Messrs.  Editors :  It  is  the  fate  of  men  in  advance  of 
their  times  to  Ix)  the  martyrs  ot  the  ago  for  which  they 
labor.  To  H^vll  J.  Kelley  the  country  is  indebted  for 
the  settlement  of  Oregon  and  for  the  fixity  ot  oiu*  title 
to  that  country.  As  early  as  the  year  1817,  while  filling 
the  truly  honorable  office  as  principal  of  one  of  the  com- 
mon schools  in  Boston,  his  attention  was  arrested  by  the 
value  and  impoi-tance  oi  the  country  west  of  the  Rocky 
Mountains,  at  that  time  marked  on  all  the  maps  as  '*  un- 
known." With  an  energy  and  iudustiy  which  has  over 
distinguished  Mr.  Kelley,  he  devoted  himself  to  the  acqui- 
sition of  all  the  knowledge  at  that  thno  extant  in  books, 
and  which  ho  gi'eatly  increased  by  oonversationa  with  ship- 


!t.ii;,[ 


T3 

iniistors  tradiii;!f  to  tbo  northwest  coast  of  America.  Tliis 
intoiiniitioii  ho  spread  broadcast  in  the  papers  of  New 
En;^]and,  as  well  as  by  prhited  ch'culars  and  letters 
addressed  to  our  public  men.  In  1829  lie  procured  an  act 
of  incorporation  from  the  Legislature  of  Massacliusetts  of 
"Th'v5  American  Society  for  encoumging  the  settlement  of 
the  Oregon  Territory,"  and  in  1830  be  published  a  "Geo- 
gmpliical  Memoir  of  Oregon,"  accompanied  by  a  map, 
(the  first  ever  compiled,)  drawn  by  himself,  and  also  a 
"Manual  of  the  Oregon  Expedition,"  for  the  guidance  of 
emigi'antii.  In  1831  seveml  hundred  persons  had  been 
already  enlisted  by  him,  and  the  expedition  was  projected 
and  preparations  made,  which  was  ol)structe<l  by  persons 
interested  in  the  Pludson  Bay  Cor.ipany  and  lur  trade  in 
this  country,  so  that  the  plan  was  abandoned,  except  by  a 
few  who  made  their  way  to  Oregon,  and  connnenced  their 
iivst  farming  operations  and  openetl  the  first  school  in  that 
country,  Mr.  Kelley  made  new  arrangements  for  emi- 
grants, and  proceeded  as  far  as  New  Orleans,  when  the 
part}'  was  again  dispersed  at  a  gi'eat  personal  loss  to  him- 
self. Deserted  by  his  associates,  ho  proceeded  to  Vera 
Cruz  alone,  under  the  protection  of  letters  from  the  Secre- 
tary of  State,  and  his  ])asspoi-t  as  an  American  citizen. 
In  Mexico  he  was  plundered  by  the  custom-house  of  his 
ellects,  which  he  had  placed  in  the  public  stores  for  safety. 
While  in  Mexico,  detained  by  the  difficulties  in  regaining 
a  small  part  of  his  property,  the  cholera  appeared  in  the 
city,  aiivl  a  mode  of  treatment  wl\ich  he  had  received  from 
an  eminent  physician  in  Philadelphia,  conmiunieatcd  by 
him  to  i\\o  Federal  (iovernor,  and  adopted  in  the  hospitals, 
was  the  means,  under  God,  of  saving  many  of  the  lives  of 
the  i)eoi)le  of  that  city.  Mr.  Kelley  corresponded  with 
distinguished  public  men,  and  elleeted,  in  part,  arrange- 
ments preparatory  to  a  settlement  of  Upper  California,  and 
to  im[)rovements,  physical  and  moral,  of  that  country. 
With  a  party,  mostly  Amerleans,  who  enlisted  at  Monterey 
as  settlers,  after  incredible  hardships,  Mr.  Kelley  reached 
Oregon.  Here  the  Hudson  Bay  Company's  ofllcers  would 
not  allow  him  to  remain.  Bremen  down  in  bodily  strength 
and  oppressed,  he  was  compelled  to  return  to  Boston. 

Mr.  Kelley  has  thus  sacrificed  his  life  and  property  to 
accomplish  the  first  wish  of  his  heart,  to  be  the  picmocr  of 
civilization  and  Cliristianity  in  the  Territory  of  Oregon. 
10 


74 


1  - 


In  this  undei'taking  he  has  sunk  his  entire  fortune  of  thiiiy 
thousand  dolhu's.  This  was  well  known  to  the  late  Hon. 
L.  F.  Linn,  Senator  irom  MissouiS,  wliose  cllbrts  in  the 
Senate  to  awaken  the  public  to  our  claims  to  the  Nortli- 
west  Territory  are  not  to  be  forgotten.  He  says,  in  a 
letter  to  Mr.  Kelley,  dated  Washington,  F  briiary  14, 
1840  :  "  Government  must  soon  act  with  decision  on  this 
subject,  now  becoming  truly  important  in  a  national  point 
of  view.  When  any  thing  dcliuitc  is  done,  your  claims 
will  present  themselves  Avith  a  power  not  to  be  resisted 
upon  this  Government,  and,  should  I  remain  in  Congress, 
you  may  de[)cud  on  my  assistance.  Feeling  deep  sym- 
pathy for  your  losses,  hardships  and  atliictions,  I  remain, 
yours." 

These  facts  are  fully  set  forth  in  a  memorial  of  j\Ir. 
Kellej',  and  a  petition  of  the  citizens  of  Boston,  signed, 
among  other  distinguished  citizens,  by  Hon.  George  Ban- 
croft and  Thomas  H.  Perkins,  pi-aying  Congress  to  grant 
to  Mr.  Kelley  a  tract  of  land  in  Oregon  as  a  "  rcAvard  for 
his  labors  and  sacrifices." 

Mr.  Kelley  is  no  mere  visionary — a  man  of  one  idea. 
He  has  rendered  the  country  valuable  services  in  various 
ways,  which  render  liim  worthy  of  the  consideration  of 
Congress  and  the  respect  of  all  good  men.  He  graduated 
with  honor  at  Middlcbury,  and  wears  the  scholastic  honor 
of  A.  M.  conferred  by  Hai'vard  University.  He  devoted 
himself  to  the  cause  of  education  as  a  teacher,  and  pub- 
lished, in  1820,  an  elementary  work  entitled  the  "Amer- 
ican Instnictov,"  in  two  volume,'^,  at  that  time  regarded  as 
a  valuable  contribution  to  education.  The  first.  Sabbath 
school  in  New  ICngland  was  organized  by  his  personal 
ettbi'ts;  WxQ  first  Sabbath  school  book  was  from  his  pen; 
the  J^oston  Young  Men's  Education  Society  was  formed  by 
his  aid,  and  he  was  its  fist  Secretary,  and  made  the  first 
public  address  in  its  support.  The  "Penitent  Female 
Refuge  Society "  owed  its  origin  also  to  Mr.  Kelley. 
While  thus  occupied  in  his  duties  as  a  teacher  and  citizen, 
Mr.  Kelley  devoted  himself  to  the  prosecution  of  the  higher 
branches  of  mathematical  science ;  having  made  what  he 
deemed  a  discovery  in  the  system  of  geographical  survey- 
ing, '>f  which  he  submitted  a  memoir  to  the  Government 
in  1829.  The  Committee  in  Congi-ess  to  whom  the  sub- 
ject was  refcired,  assigned  its  examination  to  Gen.  Ber- 


) . 


75 


ligher 


imi'd,  then  at  tho  head  oi  our  coi*i)S  of  civil  euofiucers. 
Gen.  Bernard  reported  favorably  as  to  its  impoitanec,  and 
the  patronage  oi  tho  Kxecutive  was  promised  on  condition 
that  Mr.  Kclloy  would  prepare  and  publish  tho  requisite 
tables.  This  was  a  work  ot  time,  and,  as  it  would  inter- 
fere with  liis  plans  lor  Oregon,  the  work  never  was  com- 
pleted. Noj"  are  these  tho  only  services  of  Mr.  Kelley 
which  render  him  worthy  ot  the  sympathy  and  support  of 
the  public  hi  his  application  now  before  Congress.  Mr. 
Kelley  has  distinguished  him^ell  as  an  engineer ;  he  n^ado 
the  l()(!ation  and  surveys  of  several  railroads  in  the  State 
of  Maine ;  and  also  ])roject>cd  u  canal  from  Boston  to  the 
Connecticut  river,  and  made  a  cuisory  survey  of  the  same ; 
and  in  Mexico  he  ])rojected  a  milroad  Irom  Vera  Cruz  to 
the  city  of  IMexico,  which  was  submitted  to  several  private 
but  enterprising  men,  and  also  to  General  Santa  Anna  and 
the  Executive  of  Mexico,  a  plan  which  has  since  been 
commenced.  Of  Mr.  Kelley 's  litnc^ss  for  these  labors, 
Geo.  B.  Emerson  thus  writes,  under  date  of  Boston,  Sep- 
tember, 1838  :  "From  natuml  taste  and  adaptation;  from 
tho  most  extraordinary  experience  ot  the  work,  in  every 
form  and  variety  ;  from  practical  skill  and  acquaintance  of 
all  kinds  ot  ground  and  uU  modes  ot  operation,  Mr.  Kelley 
is  singularly  avcII  qualified  to  understand,  superintend, 
and  execute  the  work  of-  a  survey  for  any  railroad  or  other 
improvement,  public  or  private."  And  the  then  Governor 
Everett  endorses  this  letter  by  saying :  "  Mi.  Emerson  is 
well  known  to  me  as  a  person  eminent  for  his  scientific 
attainments,  ♦  •  *  uuj  ]  fed  gi-eat  reliance  on  his 
judgment,"  «S;c. 

Thcjo,  nv.A  many  such  tacts  which  might  be  stated,  show 
tho  activity,  capacity,  and  power  of  the  man  who  enlisted 
his  soul  and  has  sunk  his  toituno  in  tho  entequisc  for  the 
christianizing  and  civilization  ot  Oregon.  He  has  labored, 
and  others  have  reaped  the  harvest.  He  is  now  an  old 
man,  worn  out  by  severe  sullerings,  a  partial  loss  of  eye- 
sight, and  bereaved  of  family  and  fortune,  an  applicant  to 
Congress  tor  a  grant  of  land  in  that  Territory  which  it  has 
been  tho  gi*eat  aim  ot  his  lite  to  secure  by  settlement  to  our 
coimtry,  and  to  make  it  the  seat  of  lite,  light,  and  liberty. 
Is  not  the  laborer  worthy  of  the  rewai*d  he  seeks ? 

JUSTITIA. 


76 

Soon  after  flic  conception  (in  1817)  of  tlie  settlement,  I 
began  first  to  converjie  with  friends  conceniing  it,  and  tlien 
to  leetnve  and  to  M'rite  books  and  tracts,  in  oi'der  to  give 
the  widest  i^ossible  i^ublicity  to  my  plans  and  puiposcs. 
The  following  testimonial  states  in  regard  to  the  collecting 
of  infoiTnation  and  tlio  lecturing : 

U.  8.  lievenue  Cutter  ^Hamilton,* 
]}oston,  February  7,  1849. 
Hall  J.  Relley,  Esq.  : 

Dear  Sir, — You  first  called  on  me  about  thirty  y(>ars 
ago,  after  my  return  from  the  Columbia  Kiver,  requesting 
information  conceniing  Oregon.  I  loaned  you  at  that  time 
my  journal,  in  which  I  had  noted  some  accounts  of  the 
country  about  the  mouth  of  the  Columbia  Kiver.  I  also 
was  present  at  a  public  lectui'o  delivered  by  you  in  refer- 
ence to  tliat  territoiy.  I  know  of  no  one  who  lias  greater 
claims  on  the  Government,  than  yourself.  With  wishes 
for  your  success, 

I  am  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

JOSIAH  STURGIS, 

Capt.  U.  S.  R.  8. 

The  pajier  under  the  head  of  "  Schedule  "  I  must  here 
introduce,  tliough  it  properly  belongs  to  the  Api^endix.  I 
am  in  haste  to  finish  the  dictation  of  this  book,  and  to 
have  it  in  print  and  before  Congi'css  the  present  session — 
a  document  so  clearly  and  fully  verifying  and  illustrating 
the  statements  of  the  petition  now  in  the  hands  of  a  Com- 
mittee. It  is  a  solemn  appeal  to  the  justice  of  Congi'ess 
and  to  the  liunmnity  of  the  Christum  public,  and  it  will 
not  bo  in  vain,  I  trust,  should  it  be  road  and  duty  consid- 
ered by  tlie  lovers  of  truth,  the  patriots  and  the  philan- 
thropists of  that  illustrious  assembly.  It  ^  'as  commenced 
more  than  a  year  and  a  half  ago,  and  yet  not  80  pages 
of  it  are  in  print.  Consttmt  vexations,  ''troubles  on  every 
side  "  cause  the  delay  ;  they  enfeeble  my  pen  and  unfit  my 
mouth  for  speech,  of  course  for  the  dictating  of  the  com- 
position of  the  book.  (App.  S.)  Persecutions  and 
afllictions  of  forty  years'  continuance  have  nearly  worn  me 
out,  and  I  may  not  last  to  see,  in  print,  the  Appendix,  the 


7  J 

most  Instructive  as  it  re«,'aixl8  my  biography,  and  i^erhaps 
the  most  inttM-esting  portion  of  the  book. 

SCHEDULE. 

Books  and  papers  put  into  the  possession  of  committees 
and  iudividual  members  of  Congress,  in  dilferont  years, 
substantiating  tlie  allegations  of  the  author's  petitions, 
presented  from  time  to  time  ;  and  to  show  the  falsities  in 
certain  liistorical  accounts  of  Oregon,  favoring  the  inter- 
ests of  the  II.  B.  Company,  with  explanations. 

1838. — Put  into  the  possession  of  the  late  Hon.  L.  F. 
Linn,  were  a  series  of  papers  published  in  the  Bunker 
Hill  Aurora,  in  1837,  on  the  American  claim  and  title  to 
Oregon,  giving  accounts  of  the  early  discoveries  and  ex- 
aminations by  Spanish,  American  and  British  navigators 
of  the  N.  W.  Coast.     (Nar.  E.  D.,  p.  17  to  44.) 

Documents  showing  the  nature  and  validity  of  the  claims 
of  certain  American  citizens  to  lands  on  Vancouver's 
Island. 

Petition,  asking  for  a  grant  of  land  in  Oregon. 

1839. — Memorials,  in  dilFerent  years,  praying  Congress 
to  take  possession  of  the  Oregon  Territoiy,  and  to  aid  in 
its  colonization. 

Petition  of  the  leading  citizens  of  Boston. 

A  collection  of  books  and  pamphlets,  including  the 
*' Geogi-aphical  Sketch  of  Oi'egon "  and  the  "Manual  of 
the  Oregon  Expedition."    On  the  cover  of  the  last  named 


book  was  the  following 


AGENTS 


from  whom  information  3ould  be  obtained. 

S.  Coleman,  Portland,  Me. 

J.  Shaw»  P.  M.,  Northijort,  do. 

G.  C.  Woilh,  Burlington,  do. 

J.  McNab,  M.  D.,  Baraet,  Vt. 

H.  Brewhter,  Ed.  State  Herald,  Portsmouth,  N.  H. 

J.  Nye,  P.  M.,  Claremont,  do. 

J.  W.  Rand,  New  Hampton,  do. 

H.  J.  Kolley,  Gen.  Agent,  Boston,  Mass. 

W.  W.  Wheildou,  Ed.  Bunker  Hill  Aurora,  Chailes- 
town,  do. 

Wm.  Young,  Taunton,  do. 


"i 


"'f 


78 

N.  Wyetb,  Cambridge,  Mass. 

CalleDder  &  Kirkhnni,  Springfield,  do. 

Doit  &  Ilowland,  Worcester,  do. 

Lewis  G.  Clurk,  Ed.  Conn.  Mirror,  Hartford,  Conn. 

Rev.  E.  Cusliman,  Now  Haven,  do. 

Rev.  B.  T.  Welch,  Albany,  N.  Y. 

A.  McCall,  Lansinnburgh,  do. 

A.  Palmer,  Ed.  Schenectady  Whig,  do. 
E.  W.  Collins,  Rochester,  do. 

J.  White,  P.  M.,  Bmditt,  do. 

J.  WaiTcn,  Lyons,  do. 

R.  Elwell,  No,  80  Wall  St.,  New  York  City. 

W.  C.  Jones,  Columbus,  Ohio. 

N.  G.  M.  Sonter,  Dayton,  do. 

B.  Willis,  Hillsboro',  Illinois. 
L.  Dunlap,  Indianni^olis,  Ind. 

C.  D.  Smith,  Detroit,  Michigan  Tor. 

D.  R.  Burbank,  Henderson,  Ky. 

T.  J.  Bradford,  Ed.  Kentucky  Gazette,  do. 

Geo.  Rohtlc,  Newark,  N.  J. 

Rev.  J.  R.  Dodge,  No.  80  Vine  St.,  Philadelphia  City. 

J.  Jcwett,  No.  229  Market  St.,  Baltimore  City. 

J.  Riordan,  Washington  City,  D.  C. 

C.  C.  Dun,  M.  D.,  Abington,  Va. 

R.  B.  Seneecum,  SomerviJle,  Tenn. 

Asa  Hartfield,  Augusta,  Miss. 

J.  M.  Bradford,  St.  Fi*ancisville,  Lu." 

A  collection  of  circulars  and  advertisements  published 
between  the  years  1829  and  '32.  A  collection  Of  docu- 
ments and  newspaper  articles  concerning  the  enterprise 
and  ad'airs  in  Oregon. 

Put  into  the  hand  of  Hon.  C.  Cushing,  a  map  of  Upper 
Califoniia  and  Oregon,  di'aAvn  by  myself  from  the  date,  of 
explorations  made  by  me  in  '34,  which  map  was  examined 
by  Col.  Fremont,  who  explored  the  same  country  in  1837 
or  '40,  and  was  pronounced  remarkably  correct.  It  was 
the  iirnt  ever  made  by  an  American  of  the  valley  of  the 
Sacmmento.  One  of  the  medals  furnished  Capts.  Ken- 
di'ick  and  Gray,  commanders  of  the  "  Voyage  of  Discov- 
ery," fitted  out  from  Boston,  in  1787.  An  impression  of 
which  is  given  on  the  map  attached  to  Greenhow's  history 
of  Oregon. 


79 


1840. — Put  into  tho  liand  ol  tho  Hon.  Abbott  Lawrence, 
tho  manuscript  copy  of  tho  document — IIouso  ol  Repre- 
sentiitivcs,  Cong.  1(3,  Scss.  Ist,  No.  43,  prepared  by  tho 
petitioner,  giving  an  abridged  history  of  the  purchases  of 
Indian  lauds  on  tiio  N.  W.  Coast  by  American  citizens. 

An  advertisement  ]n'iuted  hi  I  otidon,  m  1793,  in  four 
diilcrent  languages,  ollering  for  sale  the  lands  purchased 
of  Indians  on  the  N.  W.  Coast,  by  Capt.  J.  Kendrick,  in 
the  year  1797,  embnicing  the  country  extending  from  tho 
47th  to  the  Slst  parallel. 

1848. — Put  into  the  possession  of  tho  committee  of  the 
Senate,  on  Public  Lands,  a  petition  asking  for  a  donation 
of  land  in  consideration  of  services  and  sacrifices  and  suf- 
ferings, in  causing  tlie  c  ionization  of  Oregon  ;  and  setting 
forth  the  chief  things  which  render  the  petitioner  deserv- 
ing public  respect f  and  worthy  tho  consideration  of  Con- 
gress. 

A  pile  of  documents,  embracing  all  such  copies  of  books 
and  papers,  of  which  a  duplicate  copy  remained  to  tho 
petitioner,  as  were  deposited  in  the  hand  of  Senator  Linn, 
together  with  the  testimonials  in  this  book. 

A  collection,  in  two  volumes,  of  pamphlets  and  original 
papers,  including  a  scries  of  l<ittei's  to  a  IMember  of  Con- 
gress, published  in  1831,  in  the  American  Traveller,  and 
in  other  papers,  giving  the  originj  the  plans  and  objects  of 
the  Oregon  enterprise ;  and  an  article  addressed  to  relig- 
ious communities,  calling  for  evangelical  missionaries  to 
accompany  the  Expedition  to  Oregon. 

The  petitioner's  memoir  to  Congress,  1839,  House  of 
Representatives,  Doc.  No.  101,  giving  geographical  and 
statistical  accounts  of  Oregon  and  California.  One  of  the 
Subscription  Books  in  which  were  registered  the  names  of 
persons  wiiom  the  petitioner  had  enlisted  for  the  settle- 
ment of  Oregon.  Wyeth's  Oregon  Expedition.  This 
book,  soon  after  its  deposit,  was  abstracted,  I  have  some 
reason  to  believe,  from  the  couiniittee's  file,  much  to  the 
regret  of  tho  author,  it  being  the  only  copy  he  had  been 
able  to  find,  alter  a  diligent  search,  and  it  having  been 
loaned  him  by  the  widow  of  the  writer,.  Dr.  Waterhouse, 
of  Cambridge. 

Tho  volume  of  the  N.  E.  Magazine,  published  in  Boston, 
furnishing  specimens  of  the  misrepresentations  from  the 
press,  which  rendered  unpopular  the  petitioner's  enter- 


i 


86 

Erise,  and  which,  with  other  scurrilous  nrticIcH  in  other 
ireliujv  papers,  broke  up  an  expedition  in  which  wore  en- 
listed four  or  five  hundred  eini«i;rants  for  Ore;?on. 

The  "Ten  Years  in  Oregon,"  by  Daniel  Lee,  in  which 
the  true  origin  of  the  settlements  in  Oregon,  and  the 
inducements  for  emigrations  tliither,  are  falsely  repre- 
sented. 

A  book  by  Robert  Greenhow,  translator  to  the  State 
Department,  giving  the  Senate  of  the  United  States  his- 
torical accounts  of  Oregon.  This  book,  either  from  acci- 
dent or  design,  is  calculated  to  mislead  the  public  mind, 
relative  to  the  natural  advantages  in  Oregon,  for  the  pur- 
suits of  connnerce  and  agriculture,  and  for  the  abode  of 
civilization.  It  is  deceptive,  relative  to  the  late  American 
title  to  that  portion  of  the  country  northward  of  the  49th 
parallel.  The  petitioner's  marlvs  upon  its  objectionable 
paragraphs  and  pages,  very  much  defaced  the  pages  of 
that  copy. 

Lieut.  Slacum's  report,  Senate  Doc,  1837-8,  No.  24; 
and  Lieut.  Howison's  report.  House  of  lieprosentatives, 
1848,  No.  29.  Tlie  petitioner's  object  in  exhibiting  these 
re^iorts  was  to  show  the  fact  of  his  having  been  made  the 
victim  of  each.  Mr.  Slacum,  alter  his  return  home,  and 
previous  to  the  making  up  of  his  report,  expressed  him- 
self satisliod  that  the  settlement  on  the  Wallan^-  bad  been 
made  by  the  petitioner.  He  had  I>rought  fron.  at  settle- 
ment, a  copy  of  the  petitioner's  "  Manual  of  the  Oregon 
Expedition,"  and  also  a  statement  given  him  by  Captain 
Young,  the  chief  man  of  the  settlers,  declaring  that  "  Mr. 
Hall  J.  Kelley  persuaded  "  him  and  his  party  to  settle  in 
that  territory.  The  paper  marked  10  in  the  report,  is  that 
identical  statement ;  and  it  was  evidently,  at  first,  intended 
to  ho  printed  y  with  the  matters  included  in  the  report;  but 
it  was  not  printed,  nor  to  be  seen  by  members  of  Congress  ; 
nor  was  any  allusion  made  to  the  petitioner,  or  to  any  of 
his  meritorious  acts  in  Oregon. 

In  the  spring  of  1849,  the  petitioner  took  back  from  the 
hands  of  the  committee  a  i)ortion  of  his  books  and  papers, 
fearing  the  most  valuable  of  them  would  be  lost,  as  nearly 
the  whole  mass  of  those  accompanying  tlte  petition  of  '38 
had  been. 


A  day  or  two  ago,  there  was  put  into  my  hands  tlie  book 


81 


of 


book 


entTtlcd,  "Beyond  tho  Mississippi."  On  the  409th  page 
it  is  said  that  "tho  earliest  white  settlers  were  the  Hudson 
Bay  Company  and  Nathaniel  Wyeth."  Tlie  author,  Albert' 
D.  Richardson,  lias  here  made  a  mistake  ;  his  information, 
doubtless,  was  derived  irom  persons  who  hnl  citlicr  been 
deceived,  or  would  tlicmselvos  deceive.  Wyeth  was  no 
scttlcT ;  Ilia  object  in  going  to  that  country  was  not  to  set- 
tle, but  to  trap  and  hunt ;  for  the  privilege  of  doing  which 
he  put  hiniscit  under  obligations  to  the  Hudson  Bay  Co. 
to  discounigo  emigiiition  to  that  country.  If  indeed  ho  is 
to  be  regarded  as  a  settler,  enougli  has  been  said  in  my 
book  to  show  as  to  the  inducements  of  his  being  such. 
The  Hudson  Bay  Co.  were  no  settlers ;  no  pei'son  belong- 
ing to  that  Company — no  one  of  its  subordinates  was  a 
settler  prior  to  the  founding  by  myself  of  tho  settlement 
in  the  valley  of  the  Wallamet. 

Most  of  the  authors  of  books  accounting  for  the  settle- 
ment of  Oregon  seem  to  misapprehend  the  true  meaning 
of  the  words,  to  settle,  or  Kettlement.  With  some  of  them 
it  is  owing,  doubtless,  to  hasty  and  inadvertent  exercise 
with  the  pen.  The  word  settlement,  as  defined  by  Web- 
ster, in  its  application  to  country,  means — the  act  of  pos- 
session by  legal  sanction — the  act  of  planting  or  establish-  ' 
ing — tlie  jilaee  or  the  colony  established.  Now,  rightly  to 
understand  the  true  meaning  of  this  woixl,  we  should  in-  . 
quire  to  know  the  purpose  and  object  of  those  "white 
men"  in  Oregon.  Was  it  colonization — Christian  civiliza- 
tion—the establisliment  of  civil  freedom  and  the  s])rcad  of 
tho  knowledge  of  God?  If  this  was  not  the  object,  it  was 
not  settlement  of  that  wilderness,  nor  was  it  in  the  com- 
prehension of  the  meaning,  nor  as  is  the  acceptation  of  the 
word  settlement.  Was  not  the  object  of  the  Hudson  Bay 
Co.  and  Wyeth,  exclusively  selfish  and  mercenary?  It  is 
evident  their  establishments  were  tempoi-ary,  and  wei'e 
wholly  for  facilities  and  comfoits  while  trnjiping  and  hunt- 
ing and  "getting  game ;"  and  not  for  colonization.  A  set- 
tlement of  a  small  patch  of  land,  perhaps  less  than  a  mile 
square  in  area,  is  not  the  settlement  of  the  whole  country, 
and  cannot  be  considered  the  settlement  of  Oregon,  or  of 
"  laying  the  foundation  "  of  the  settlement  of  that  terri- 
tory. The  Hudson  Bay  Co.'s  establishments  were  not 
permanent ;  ihny  were  liable  in  a  few  years  to  be  broken 
up,  at  the  termination  of  the  conyentiou  then  existing  be^ 
11 


82 

twecn  llio  United  States  ami  Groat  Britain.  Tlioir  tann- 
ing ostablishnicnts  wore  similar  in  character  to  tliat  of 
Fort  Vancouver,  and  were  indis}}ensablc  estahlislinicnte — 
were  for  tiio  purpose  ot  providin*;  breadstiitis  I'or  the  two 
thousand  persons  in  the  employment  of  tlio  Company,  Ttlio 
immbor  employed  in  '34,)  and  the  many  hundred  Indians 
with  wliom  they  uero  in  ti-affic,  and  sujiplyinjif,  from  tlio 
products  of  the  field,  a  distillery,  the  wherewith  for  tho 
distillation  of  alcohol.  When  I  was  at  Fort  Vancouver, 
I  saw  with  my  own  eyes,  in  one  of  the  out-l)uildino;8,  tho 
huge  monster  preparing  for  his  daily  work  of  human 
slaughter. 

I  notice  in  the  book  one  other  misttikc ;  one,  however, 
but  of  little  consequence  now  that  tho  "Oregon  question" 
with  Great  Britain  is  settled.  It  is  stated  tliat  "tlio  first 
American  knowledge  of  tho  river  Columbia  Mas  through 
Capt.  Robert  Gmy,  of  Boston,  Avho  entered  the  mouth  of 
the  unknown  beautiful  stream  in  1792,  and  named  it  from 
his  ship,  Columbia  licdiviva,  the  first  keel  which  had  over 
cut  its  waters."  Now,  tho  first  discovery  of  the  Oregon 
river  was  by  Spaniards  sent  puiposcly  by  tho  Viceroy alty 
of  Mexico,  by  order  of  tho  King  of  Spain,  to  make  discov- 
eries on  the  north-west  coast.  Before  any  other  people, 
they  discoverea  and  examined  every  portion  of  that  coast, 
and  commenced  the  colonization  of  Quadra's  Island .  ( App. 
T.)  Admiral  Font,  in  1G40,  made  discoveries  and  exam- 
inations as  far  north  as  tho  60th  parallel,  entering  rivere, 
straits,  and  bays  ;  and  taking  possession  of  tho  country  in 
the  name  of  their  sovereign.  In  1774,  Juau  Perez  was 
sent  from  San  Bias  with  two  public  vessels,  to  explore  tho 
whole  coast,  in  view  of  its  annexation  to  the  Spanish  do- 
minions. He  examined  Nootka  Sound,  and  traded  with 
the  natives.  In  the  following  year,  Heceta,  with  two  ves- 
sels from  San  Bias,  made  an  expedition  in  which  was  dis- 
covered the  Oregon.  (See  Nar.  E.  D.,  pa^e  18,  and  page 
12,  this  book.)  It  is  evident  he  entered  with  his  two  ves- 
sels, and  sailed  up  that  river  as  far  as  navigable,  and  the 
"keel  '*  of  one  of  the  vessels,  we  may  suppose,  "was  tho 
fu-st  that  ever  cut  its  waters."  Mam'elle,  tho  pilot,  deline- 
ated ui)on  his  chart  the  river  for  the  distance  of  70  or  80 
miles  from  its  entrance,  calling  it  San  Roc. 

Capt.  John  Meai'cs,  a  British  subject  on  that  coast  in 
1788,  admits  this  discovery.     He  notes  in  his  jouiiial : 


83 


bocic, 

To    W 

Uings 


"  We  were  pleased  with  the  expectations  of  its  being  Cape 
San  Hoc  ot  tlie  Spaniaixis,  near  which  they  are  said  to 
have  found  a  *  good  port.'  " 

Mr.  Riehardsou  has  given  to  the  world  a  useful 
one  written  with  groat  perspicuity.     If  any  one 
wish  to  know  u1>out  men  and  things  exactly  us  they 
regions  "JJeyond  the  Mississippi,"  nnd  understan*' 
grunt  and  sp^)'"..  struiglit  and  crooked,  minutely,  in  all 
their  diversity  oi  character,  as  tliougli  close  to  and  urdet 
the  nil      al  eye,  let  him  read  the  pages  of  tliis  book. 

The  book  called  "Astoria"  was  writtciu  partly  to  deceive 
the  i)ublic  as  to  t'le  settlement  of  Oregon.  Some  of  its 
pag(!S  are  delusive.  The  delusion  is  more  in  its  materials 
than  in  its  author.  There  never  was  a  town  of  that  or  any 
otlier  name  prior  to  the  year  1834,  at  the  mouth  of  the  Co- 
lumbia river — never  a  settlement  in  Oregon  nor  of  the  38th 
parallel,  unless  two  or  three  log  tcnemenls,  with  a  stock- 
ade fence  about  them,  constitute  a  town.  When  at  the 
mouth  of  the  Columbia  river  in  '34,  I  saw  but  two  tene- 
ments. If  my  recollection  serves  me  right,  one  was  a 
storehouse  ;  the  other  Avas  occupied  by  a  person  whom  the 
company  had  stationed  there  to  trade  with  the  Indians  and 
to  collect  furs.  I  saw  little  there  but  darkness  and  black- 
ness and  desolation ;  heard  but  little  more  than  the  sighs 
and  cries  of  the  misery  in  the  perishing  remnants  of  the 
Clotsop  and  Chenook  tribes,  and  tlic  roar  and  rage  of 
mighty  waters. 

The  late  John  J.  Astor,  of  New  York,  a  man  of  no  ordi- 
nary siigacity  in  business  transactions,  established  a  trading 
post  on  the  south  side  of  the  estuary  of  the  Columbia, 
Avhich  post,  to  magnify  the  importance  of  his  doings  in 
that  territory,  has  since  been  called  the  "  Town  of  Astoria." 
I  am  free  to  say,  having  had  opportunities  to  know  about 
it,  that  he  did  not  so  much  as  contemplate  a  permanent 
settlement  or  occupancy  of  the  country.  Nothing  ever 
indicated  his  having  entei'tained,  for  a  moment,  a  thought 
of  that  kind.  It  is  true,  in  1822,  he  proposed  to  invest 
$200,000  in  the  building  of  a  town  at  the  mouth  of  the 
Columbia,  provided  the  government  of  the  United  States 
would  establish  for  its  protection  a  military  post  at  that 
place.  The  proposition,  though  reasonable,  was  not  ac- 
cepted ;  and  nothing  further  was  said  or  done  on  his  part. 
It  is  not  my  meaning  that  he  was  a  whit  worse  than  the 


M 


yery  best  of  the  leading  men  in  the  associations  of  fur 
dealei's ;  yet,  I  apprehend,  liis  object  was  not  materially 
unlike  that  of  all  others  whom  cupidity  has  led  to  that 
country  to  trap  and  hunt,  and  to  trade  with  the  Indians ; 
and  who,  to  get  gain,  have  overreached  that  benighted 
people  in  every  instance  of  traffic  with  them ;  and  have 
robbed  them  of  the  productions  of  their  hunting  grounds, 
and  iisliing  privileges — a  predatory  object,  no  better  than 
that  of  marauders. 

Most  historical  writers,  and  lecturers  on  that  country, 
have  given  to  this  enterprising  and  adroit  fur  dealer,  credit 
which  ho  never  claimed ;  have  attributed  to  his  condtict 
motives  Avhieh  never  moved  him ;  and  laureled  him  with- 
out his  consent,  at  the  expense  of  another.  They  have 
made  prevalent  false  notions  as  to  the  character  of  his 
establishment;  and  have  artfully  drawn  public  attention 
that  way,  hoping  to  divert  the  inquu'ing  mind  from  the  best 
grounds  of  the  American  claim  to  Oregon ;  and  from  the 
fu'st  cause  of  the  settlements  of  that  country.  Though  his 
object  was,  exclusively,  that  of  avarice,  yet  meeds  of  praise 
have  been  awarded  him,  as  though  he  had  done  some  mighty 
thing,  greatly  benefiting  his  adopted  nation. 

There  was  nothing  visible  in  Aster's  pmpose,  indicating 
colonization.  His  men  were  unprovided  With  agricultural 
stores  or  farming  implements ;  and  it  is  evident  that  they 
were  without  skill  for  the  cultivation  of  the  ground,  and 
were  not  sent  to  Oregon  on  business  of  that  kind.  While 
there,  they  made  experiments  at  horticulture — none  at 
fanning. 

In  1828,  when  engaged  in  efforts  to  enlist  emigrants  for  Ore- 
gon, I  noticed  in  the  loading  newspapers  an  article  purporting 
to  be  an  extract  from  a  journal  kept  at  Astoria.  It  stated,  in 
substance,  that  a  email  patch  of  ground  was  cultivated,  to  sup- 
ply the  post  with  garden  vegetables ;  that  the  ground  was 
sterile,  and  incapable  of  producing  enough  of  any  thing  to  re- 
munerate for  the  seed  put  into  it ;  and  that  the  experiments 
were  failures.  The  same  article  suggested  the  way  of  man- 
agement. Turnips  were  sowed  and  potatoes  planted,  among 
stumps  and  under  the  shade  of  the  tall  trees  which  environed 
their  plantation.  *'  The  mice,  the  first  year,  took  one  part  of 
the  yield ;  the  other  part  was  reserved  for  another  trial."  "  Tbe 
second  year  the  seed  entirely  ran  out" 

That  article  shovrs,  how  early  the  lying  spirit  of  the  friends  of 


85 


the  Hudson  Bay  Company  was  going  about  to  deceive  the  pub- 
lic, and  to  thwart  the  movements  of  my  enterprise.  I  have 
seen  the  spot  of  ground,  and  know  it  to  be  highly  fertile,  and 
well  adapted  to  the  culture  of  all  the  useful  vegetables  raised  in 
the  northern  part  of  the  United  States. 

There  was  nothing  pariicularly  meritorious  in  Astor's  trading 
on  the  hanks  of  the  Columbia.  The  character  of  any  trade, 
gain  being  the  only  object,  is  the  same,  whether  pursued  on  land 
or  water.  To  trade  on  the  hank  of  a  river,  is  much  the  same  as 
to  trade  on  the  deck  of  a  vessel.  I  have,  somewhere,  seen  the 
principle  illustrated  by  a  comparison  between  two  oyster  estab- 
lishments— one  was  in  the  heart  of  a  city  ;  the  other,  in  a  hulk 
moored  alongside  of  a  wharf.  The  query  was,  which  of  the 
twain,  from  the  circumstance  of  situation,  was  the  most  praise- 
worthy establishment. 

Astor  bought  no  territory,  made  no  treaty,  and  obtained  no 
consent  of  the  Indians  to  occupy.  His  men  were  unkind  and 
unmerciful  towards  that  despised  and  oppressed  race.  Finally, 
his  acts  in  Oregon  were  not  of  a  character  to  give  strength  to  the 
American  claim  to  the  territory.  They  were  all  morally  wrong ; 
in  violation  of  the  laws  of  God — contrary  to  the  precepts  of  that 
religion  given  to  the  world  by  Jesus  Christ,  requiring  perfect 
obedience  to  the  divine  commands — requiring  all  men,  of  what- 
ever tongue,  or  tribe,  or  nation  they  may  be,  to  live  in  brotherly 
kindness  with  each  other — each,  to  communicate  good,  and  not 
evil,  to  his  neighbor  ;  and,  the  stronger,  whether  an  individual 
person  or  a  nation,  to  protect  the  weaker ;  the  civilized  to  en- 
lighten the  uncivilized — imparting  to  all,  as  circumstances  favor, 
that  knowledge  of  tl\e  ways  of  God,  which,  more  than  all  other 
knowledge,  dignifie. ,  adorns,  and  sweetens  life. 

The  transactions  of  the  fur  dealers  in  Oregon,  up  to  the  time 
of  the  first  settlement  in  the  Wallamet  Valley,  uniformly  tended 
to  demoralize,  degrade,  and  make  miserable  the  Indians,  and  to 
the  extinguishment  of  t!  at  race.  They  were  hostile  to  the  com- 
mon intcr«Jst8  of  mankind.  The  trappers  and  hunters  beyond 
the  Rocky  Mountains,  with  a  few  exceptions,  have  evinced  a 
great  want  of  that  elevation  of  character,  which,  in  part,  dis- 
tinguishcL  the  human  from  the  brute  species  \  and  they  have 
deserved  to  be  driven  from  the  Oregon  Territory  with  the  same 
speed  with  which  they  have  driven  nine-tenths  of  its  unoffending 
population  from  the  world.  Such  brutish  men  are  not  identified 
with  the  heaven-adopted. instrumentalities  by  which  the  "  desert 
shall  rejoice,  and  blossom  as  the  rose ;"  and  *'  the  earth  shall  be 
full  of  the  knowledge  of  the  Lord." 


l\ 


■  H 


86 

Their  hbtory  is  full  of  unfair  dealings,  and  unprovoked  mur- 
ders. I  cannot  be  silent,  mrhen  I  call  to  mind  the  wrongs  and 
outrages  practiced  by  them,  upon  their  fellow-men.  Should  my 
pen  ever  gain  sufficient  ability  for  the  task,  history  shall  not  belie 
the  oppressed  people  driven  out  from  that  goodly  land. 

Further  in  regard  to  what  is  said  of  the  Hudson  Bay  Company 
being  the  first  settlers. 

Some  time  in  the  year  1829,  Capt.  Dominis,  commanding  the 
brig  Owyhee  of  Boston,  was  in  the  Columbia  river,  and  commu- 
nicated to  Mr.  McLaughlin,  the  chief  officer  of  the  H.  B.  Co., 
information  of  my  purpose  to  colonize  Oregon,  putting  into  his 
hands  a  printed  paper  headed,  "  General  Circular,"  setting  forth 
the  plan  and  objects  of  my  projected  enterprise.  That  company 
now  devised  ways  and  means  to  thwart  my  plans  and  prevent  my 
coming  into  the  "  company's  territory."  They  raised  and  laid 
aside  a  fund  of  $800,000  to  be  used  for  a  special  purpose.  It 
was  said  that  the  objects  of  this  fund  were  to  turn  from  the  coast, 
American  vessels,  and  to  keep  off  competition  in  the  Indian 
trade.  Authors  of  l)ooks  concerning  affairs  in  Oregon,  state  the 
same  thing.  It  is  also  stated  in  the  "Ten  Years  in  Oregon," 
p.  78,  by  Daniel  Lee,  that  "  The  Hudson  Bay  Company  pos- 
sess a  fund  of  two  million  sterling,  for  the  purpose  of  competing 
with  every  vessel  that  may  come  upon  the  coast  for  trade,"  and 
"  to  control  the  destinies  of  Oregon."  This  I  know  was  not  the 
purpose  of  that  fund  ;  it  was  to  prevent  the  settlement  of  the 
country  and  the  overthrow  of  the  Company's  monopolies. 

It  is  also  stated  in  some  publication  by  J.  K.  Townsend,  that 
"  travelers  and  naturalists,  and  all  who  are  not  traders,  are  kindly 
and  most  hospitably  treated  ;  but  the  moment  the  visitor  is 
known  to  trade  a  beaver  skin  from  an  Indian,  that  moment  he  is 
ejected  from  the  commimity,  and  all  communication  between  him 
and  the  officers  of  the  Company  ceases." 

Does  this  statement  of  Townscnd's  look  as  though  it  was  tho 
object  of  the  Company  to  settle,  to  colonize  Oregon  ? 
'  To  secure  to  himself  and  the  servants  of  the  Company,  when 
the  first  colonizing  settlement  should  be  commenced,  tho  best 
farming,  mill  privileges,  and  positions  for  commercial  towns,  ho 
sent  five  Canadians  to  take  up  lands  near  the  falls  of  tho  Wal- 
lamet,  the  very  place  which  he  had  reason  to  suppose  would  be 
first  occupied  by  me.  My  "  General  Circular,"  then  in  his 
hands,  designated  the  places.  At  the  same  time  he  commenced 
the  excavation  of  a  canal,  in  order  for  the  erection  of  mills  at 
the  falls.    After  thus  marking  the  spot  for  himself,  he  moved  the 


87 


Company's  servants  farther  up  the  valley,  to  select  lands  for 
themselves.  These  Canadians  were  still  to  remain  servants  of 
the  Company.  He  then  planned  to  get  possession  of  the  coun- 
try about  Puget's  Sound  ;  they  had  already  a  trading  and 
farming  establishment  there.  I  was  told  that  the  lands  about 
that  Sound  have  a  rich  and  deep  soil,  and  great  productive  capa- 
bilities. Vancouver,  in  his  "  Voyage  of  Discoveries,"  says  "  it 
seems  ready  to  melt  in  its  own  fatness."  To  secure  a  title  and 
to  possess  it  as  their  own,  the  Company  represented  to  the 
treaty-making  power  in  '46,  at  the  time  of  the  settlement  of  the 
"  Oregon  question "  with  Great  Britain,  that  the  Indian  title 
had  been  extinguished  by  the  Puget  Sound  Agricultural  Asso- 
ciation, and  asked  of  that  power  a  confirmation  of  the  claim  so 
acquired.  It  afterwards  appeared  that  there  was  no  such  Asso- 
ciation. 

Simpson,  who  succeeded  McLaughlin  as  the  Company's  Chief 
Factor,  in  his  book  called  "  Tour  Round  the  World,"  remarked 
that  the  Association  was  none  other  than  the  Hudson  Pay  Com- 
pany, and  it  was  confirmed,  and  there  was  put  into  tho  grasp  of 
the  Company's  cupidity  that  most  desirable  and  advantageous 
tract  of  territory  for  commercial  and  agricultural  purposes,  west 
of  the  Rocky  Mountains.  They  also  artfully  planned  to  perpet- 
uate entire  possession  of  Vancouver's  Island,  if  not  of  the  whole 
country  north  of  the  Columbia  river ;  this  also  by  means  of  the 
delusive  influences  of  Robert  Greenhow's  book  ;  and  a  certain 
Boston  merchant's  lecture  on  Oregon,  (Nar.  E.  D.,  page  ,) 
brought  it  about. 

I  will  proceed  further  to  show  by  whom,  and  in  what  ways, 
the  cause  of  Oregon  and  humanity  was  oppugned ;  public  confi- 
dence in  my  character  and  writings  destroyed ;  myself  abused 
and  made  the  victim  of  books  ;  my  country  deceived  and  made 
the  victim  of  intrigue  ;  and  how  the  public  conosssion  of  Qua- 
dra's Island,*  and  other  northern  parts  of  Oregon  to  Great  Britain 
were  brought  about.     I  do  it  in  vindication  of  myself. 

•  Commoiily  called  Vancouver  Island.  This  Island,  lu  1791  and  '92, 
was  conveyed  by  the  Indian  chiefs  to  Kenclrick,  and  through  Quadra 
to  the  King  of  Spain.  For  this  reason  it  was  called  on  Gray  and  Ken- 
drick's  charts,  and  by  early  American  navigators,  Kendriek  and  Quad- 
ra's Island.  It  was  first  discovered  by  the  Spaniards,  and  before 
Vancouver  was  seen  on  the  Pociflc  side  of  America,  every  i)lace  on  or 
about  1h.1t  island  was  examined  and  named  by  thum,  and,  also,  most  of 
the  iilaces  by  Kendriek  and  Gray. 

It  appears  to  me  thnt  Grcenhow,  on  the  131st  page  of  his  book, 
*'0u  the  North-Wos  'oast,"  does  the  memory  of  Quadra  Injustice. 
It  is  very  doubtful  Wii<;clier  he  can  fUrnish  better  authority  than  his 
own  for  some  of  his  statements  In  that  book.    The  friends  of  the  Ilud- 


|« 


I  ■•   - 


8^ 

The  Oregon  question  was  long  ago  settled,  and  I  have  no  de- 
sire it  should  be  discussed  anew,  or  the  public  mind  be  agitated 
80  much  as  hj  the  mention  of  it ';  but  the  false-hearted  citizens 
interfering  to  deceive  the  people,  and  to  turn  aside  from  me 
public  justice,  remain  to  be  reproved,  and  to  be  posted,  as  de- 
serving objects  of  the  scorn  and  indignation  of  their  country- 
men. 

They  were  remarkably  cunning,  and  strangely  successful,  in 
making  the  public  believe  that  "  our  claim  "  to  Oregon  only  ex- 
tended to  the  outlines  of  the  Columbia  Valley  ;  and  rested,  only, 
on  "  four  grounds."  They  carefully  kept  out  of  sight  the  best 
of  all  conceivable  grounds,  those  showing  an  unquestionable  title 
to  the  country  extending  far  north  of  that  valley,  a  stronger 
claim  to  the  territory  north  of  he  forty-ninth  parallel,  or  the 
line  suggested  by  William  Sturgis,  of  Boston,  for  the  north- 
em  boundary  *  of  Oregon,  than  to  any  part  south  of  that  par- 
allel. It  was  contended  that  nothing  there  had  been  done,  on 
the  part  of  the  United  States,  to  acquire  a  title.  Mention  was 
scarcely  ever  made  of  acts  done  by  Americans  and  Spaniards 
north  of  the  Columbia  river. 

Too  much  importance  was  attached  to  Capt.  Robert  Gray's 
discovery  of  the  Oregonf  in  1792,  and  to  John  J.  Aster's  trad- 
ing establishment  at  the  mouth  of  that  river  in  1811 ;  while  the 
truly  meritorious  acts  of  Gray,  of  Kendrick,  and  of  the  Span- 
iards were  considered  unimportant,  and  were  kept  back,  as 
though  they  did  not  strengthen  the  American  claim,  and  were 
not  the  very  best  evidences  of  our  title. 

It  was  inconsistent  to  ascribe  to  Capt.  Gray  the  discovery  of 
that  river  ;  for  it  had  been  previously  discovered,  and  often  en- 
tered.    Capt.  Gray,  as  has  been  said  of  him  by  others,  was  an 


son's  Bay  Company,  either  to  honor  Britlsli  subjects,  or  to  give  plausi- 
bility to  the  pretences  made  by  Great  Britain  to  ri.urhts  in  Oregon, 
cliau^ed  the  names  of  all  impc  i^nnt  places  on  that  coast,  substituting 
British  instead  of  Spanish  and  American. 

♦  This  line  is  crooked,  and  bends  round  the  southern  extremity  of 
Quadra's  Island.  It  was  sujrge^^ed  by  one  of  the  strongest  advocates 
of  the  Hudson  Bay  Company. 

^  Oregon,  the  Indian  name  of  this  river,  was  trnced  by  me  to  a  large 
river  called  0)ion  in  Chinese  Tartary,  whose  latitude  corresponds  with 
that  of  Oi'cgon,  in  America.  The  word  Killamucka,  the  name  of  a  tribe 
a  little  south  of  the  mouth  of  the  Oregon,  was,  also,  traced  to  a  people 
called  Kilmucha,  who  anciently  lived  near  the  mouth  of  the  Orjon  in 
Asia.  It  is  evident  the  Oregon  Kilmucks  were  among  the  early  settlers 
of  North  America,  and  brought  with  them  many  of  the  proper  names 
used  by  our  Indians.  The  word  Mexico  (Mecaco)  is  ideutlfled  with 
the  name  of  the  ancient  capital  of  Japan.  Identifications  of  both 
proper  and  common  names  arc  numerous. 


89. 

eagle-eyed  naviijator,  and  unsurpassed  by  any  of  his  con- 
temporaries. He  entered  the  river  in  1792,  and  there  are 
circunistancca  which  incline  me  to  believe  that  Maui'elle's 
chart  turned  him  thither.  However,  he  did  his  country  a 
good  bcrvice.  The  publicity  given  to  the  event,  excited 
the  attention  of  our  government,  awakened  a  spirit  of  eu- 
terpi'ise  among  the  merchants,  and  produced  great  and 
beneficial  results. 

The  fact  is  well  established  of  there  having  been  a 
^* good  port"  in  its  estuary,  belonging  to  the  Spaniards, 
and  of  their  frequent  visits  to  the  same. 

Although  it  would  seem  as  though  enough  is  said  to 
prove  the  allegations  of  the  Petition  before  Congress,  and 
to  convince  of  the  persecutions  and  atilictions,  as  terrible 
as  were  ever  endm'cd  by  mortal  man  since  tlie  world  was 
made,  yet  it  may  bo  for  the  public  good  to  say  more  about 
the  cruelties  so  long  practiced  upon  me,  and  concerning 
the  settlement  of  Oregon  and  what  led  to  it.  The  books 
of  the  missionaries  and  Greeuhow  and  others,  and  the  re- 
ports of  public  agents,  have  done  me  great  injury ;  but 
vastly  more  injurious  to  me  has  been  the  report  submitted 
in  tUe  Senate  of  the  United  States,  Feb.  5,  1850,  on  my 
Petition  of  1848.  That  report  went  to  coufinn  the  false 
perceptions  of   me   of   not  a  few  public   men,   and  to 

streugt! the  prejudices  of  friends  and  to  give  general 

currency  to  the  vile  reports  of  adversaries ;  that  he  is 
"stupid  and  crazy,"  and  to  the  sayings  every  where  rife, 
"  that  ho  came  to  tliis  country  without  mind  or  means  to 
do  any  thing  and  went  away  " ; — and  who  turnied  from  and 
against  me  my  beloved  household  and  my  kindred,  every 
soul  of  them ;  rather,  should  1  say,  to  put  them  at  a 
greater  distance  from  me  and  to  increase  their  dislike  of 
me  ;  for  it  was  the  ])ersecutiou  that  first  turned  them  from 
me,  and  to  make  more  fierce  and  savago  the  troojis  making 
daily  attacks  upon  me.  It  was  a  strange  report ;  though 
it  did  me  monstrous  injustice  and  tends  to  deepen  and 
perpetuate  my  sorrows,  and  though  all  the  gold  ever  taken 
from  the  mines  of  California  could  not  sufficiently  make 
amends  for  the  injuries  done  me  and  my  near  kindi*ed ; 
yet  I  impute  no  wrong  motive  to  them  that  made  it.  It 
denies  me  the  merit  of  having  taken  any  part  as  a  pioneer 
in  the  colonization  of  Oregon,  oj*  in  bringing  about  the 
12 


;  w ,  ; 


I 


90 

events  which  led  to  the  goveninient  acquisition  of  Alta 
California.  It  was  a  great  mistake — I  cannot  account  for 
it ;  but  I  do  not  believe  it  was  owing  to  any  intention  to 
do  me  wrong.  I  do  not  complain  of  intentional  injustice. 
I  am  evp  disposed  duly  to  respect  the  jDowers  that  be ;  to 
render  "honor  to  wliom  honor  is  due."  The  legislative 
functionaries  are  amenable  for  their  odicial  conduct  only 
to  the  sovereignty  of  the  people  and  to  God.  It  is  a  source 
of  mucli  grief  that  my  philanthropic  plans  and  achieve- 
ments, nay,  my  whole  manner  of  life,  entitling  me  to  the 
regardful  consideration  of  my  countiymen,  should  be  so 
generally  misrepresented,  and  the  terrible  results  of  hard 
usage  should  attract  so  little  public  attention. 


Senator  John  Davis  sent  me  a  copy  of  the  report, 
letter  shoAvs  about  it. 


His 


My  Dear  Sir  : 

I  now  enclose  the  report  which  you  ask  for.  It 
had  somehow  escaped  my  attention  that  such  a  report  had 
been  made.  It  can  however  do  you  little  harm.  I  had 
conferred  with  Judge  Underwood,  Avho  formerly  had 
charge  of  the  business,  and  he  promised  me  to  give  every 
attention  to  it ;  but  it  seems,  without  my  knowhidge,  Gov. 
Felch  took  charo'c  of  it. 


Yours  Respectfully, 


July  25,  1850. 


J.  DAVIS. 


That  report  was  lost.  It  was,  I  think,  among  a  mass  of 
documents  and  manuscript  papers  taken  from  my  house 
some  years  ago,  by  those  who  would  rob  me  of  the  evi- 
dences of  my  claims  on  the  country,  and  suppress  all 
knowledge  of  me.  It  was  brief — in  a  few  words.  I 
recollect  a  part  of  it.  It  wa.,  in  sul  stance,  as  follows : 
"  The  petitioner  aslcs  a  grant  of  land  froin  the  government, 
in  consideration  of  services  and  sacrifices  in  explorations 
about  the'Amerioau  shores  of  the  Pacific,"  *  ♦  »  • 
"and  has,  in  common  with  other  adventurers,  sullcred  loss 
from  the  failure  of  his  cllbi-ts,  the  committee  have  no 
doubt."  The  memorial  is  here  given  to  show  that  the 
objects  of  my  visit  to  Oregon  were  settlement,  and  not 
mere  explorations. 


91 

''MEMORIAL 

PRAYING  FOR  A  DONATION  OF  LAND. 


To  the  IJonoi'able,  the  Senate  of  the  United  States. 

The  Meuioiial  of  Hall  J.  Kclley,  a  Citizen  ot  tlie  State  of 
Massaeluisctts,  respectfully  represents : 

That,  as  early  as  the  year  J817,  he  became  deeply  im- 
prcssetl  n'ith  the  value  and  importance  of  the  country  west 
ot  the  Koeky  Mountains,  at  that  time  marked  on  the  maps 
as  "  unknown."  More  than  thiily  ^^cars  ago,  he  conceived 
the  ])lan  of  its  colonization,  and  the  founding-  of  a  new  lie- 
public  of  civil  and  religious  freedom,  on  the  shores  of  the 
Pacific  Ocean.  »»»#*« 

Your  memorialist  presented  memorials  to  Corgress,  for 
several  yciirs,  hoping  to  secure  the  co-operation  ot  the 
government ;  and  though  unaided  by  the  Congress  of  the 
United  States,  he  prosecuted  the  work  alone,  by  selecting 
agents  in  all  the  States  of  the  Union,  of  gentlemen  favora- 
bly disposed  towards  the  enterprise.  In  1829,  he  fonned 
a  society  for  these  objects;  and  in  1831,  caused  the  same 
to  be  iucorpoiiited  by  the  Legislature  of  Massachusetts, 
under  the  title  of  "  The  American  Society  for  encom-aging 
the  settlement  of  the  Oregon  Territory."  In  1830,  ho 
published  a  Geographical  Sketch  of  Oregon,  accompanied 
by  a  maj)  of  his  own  drawing,  compiled  from  materials  he 
had  procured  at  great  labor  and  trouble.  He  also  pub- 
lished the  "Manual  of  the  Oregon  Expedition,"  as  a  guide 
book  to  all  who  should  be  willing  to  enlist  in  the  enter- 
prise. 

Tliese  publications  he  sent  to  all  the  heads  of  our  De- 
persons 
« 


partments,  to  members  of  Congress,  and  to  all 


likely  to  aid  him  in  his  labors. 
Durins:  all  these  years,  not 


one  essay,  not  afi  article 


appeared  in  the  papers,  not  from  the  pen  of  your  memori- 
alist,— and  how  fruitful  his  was,  ho  has  files  of  such  arti- 
cles to  show.  *•*•'» 

Your  memorialist  passed  the  winters  of  1830,  '31  and 
'32,  at  Waphiugton,  making  known  to  the  Govenimeut  by 
personal  interviews,  bis  plans  and  operations;  and  com- 
municathig  all  the  facts  in  his  possession  of  the  highest 


I 
( 


;l 

Jb 

1 

-   ^B 

vi 


n 


n 


92 

importnnce  to  the  safety,  and  the  establishment  of  the 
rights  and  title  of  the  United  States.  *  *  * 

He  was  traveling  under  a  passport  from  the  State  Depait- 
ment  of  the  United  States,  endorsed  by  all  proper  ^lexiean 
authority.  •  *  *  *    .         * 

Your  memorialist,  while  at  Monterey  and  in  its  vicinitj', 
persuaded  a  paily  of  American  hunters  to  accompany  him 
to  the  Columbia  river,  and  to  settle  in  Oregon ;  which 
paily,  with  a  few  other  persons,  were  previously  induced 
by  him  to  migrate  thither.  »  »  «  He  left  Fort  Van- 
couver in  March,  1835,  taking  i)assage  in  the  brigDi-yade, 
belonging  to  the  Hudson  Bay  Company,  for  the  Sandwich 
Islands ;  but  not,  however,  until  ho  had  collected  a  large 
amount  of  valuable  information  relative  to  the  geograpliy 
and  statistics  of  that  Territory  ;  and  had  made  a  particular 
survey  of  the  Columbia  river,  from  Vancouver  to  its 
mouth.  »  *  »  *  * 

And  now  your  memorialist,  in  the  decline  of  life,  woni 
out  by  severe  suflerings,  having  lost  and  sunk  his  whole 
fortune,  of  upwards  of  thirty  thousand  dollars,  reduced  to 
poverty,  and  bereaved  of  the  ties  of  life,  comes  to  ask 
that  such  services  and  sacrifices  as  he  has  made  for  the 
interests  of  the  United  States,  and  the  Territory  of  Ore- 
gon, may  be  rewarded  by  a  grant  of  such  land  in  that 
Territory,  as  may  be  subject  to  the  disposal  of  the  United 
States. 

The  documents  accomjianying  this  memorial,  and  other 
documents  which  your  memorialist  can  show  to  the  honor- 
able Senate  or  its  Committees,  too  voluminous  to  be  trans- 
mitted herewith,  will,  he  trusts,  be  the  highest  and  best  of 
all  pl'oofs  of  his  industry,  energy  and  usefulness. 

"hall  J.  KELLEY." 


The  Washiniiton  coirespondent  of  the  Boston  Whig,  in 
1848,  wrote  :  "  I  Icani  that  the  Committee  on  Territories 
will  not  report  on  the  claim  of  Hall  J.  Kelley,  to  whom 
allusion  was  made  in  a  fomier  letter.  That  Committee,  it 
seems  to  me,  has  not  troubled  itself  about  going  into  an 
examination  of  his  claim,  or  it  would  not  hesitate  in  this 
manner  about  doing  justice  to  a  worthy  citizen.  Individ- 
iials  who  have  availed  themselves  of  Mr.  Kelley 's  re- 
. searches  in  Oregon,  who  have  not  scrupled  to  use  his 
writings  for  their  own  benefit,  are  to  receive  liberal  remu- 


y'3 


neration  from  Congress  for  wliat  of  right  belongs  to  Mr. 
Kelley.  It  is  a  burning  disgrace  to  the  Government  and 
to  the  Committee  which  has  charge  of  this  case,  that  they 
do  not  act  in  the  matter  and  examine  the  proofs,  which  aro 
ample,  and  sufficient  to  satisfy  any  reasonable  mind  that 
the  petitioner  is  richly  entitled  to  compensation  for  labors 
which  the  government  and  the  country  have  hud  the  beur- 
fit  of." 

Here  is  another  and  previous  letter  of  Mr.  Duvis  : 

WA&HI^•GTON,  June  21,  1848. 
To  Hall  J.  Kelley,  Esq. : 

Having  learnt  that  vou  are  about  to  Ica^  e  here  for 
your  home  without  having  obtained  an  Act  ot  Congress  in 
your  behalf,  the  subject  not  having  been  acted  upon,  I  beg 
leave  to  say,  that  I  consider  you  as  entitled,  in  equity  and 
good  conscience,  to  a  liberal  gjant  ot  land  from  the  gov- 
ernment for  your  meritorious  services  in  promoting  the 
settlement  ot  Oregon ;  and  I  by  no  means  despair  of  ob- 
taining such  a  grant. 

I  am.  Sir,  with  much  respect,  j^our  ob't  seiT't, 

J.  DAVIS. 

Daniel  Webster,  in  1831,  expressed  to  me  the  exalted 
sentiments  he  cntei-tained  of  the  "project."  On  receiving 
my  "Geographical  Sketch  of  Oregon,"  and  a  memorial 
which  I  would  have  presented  in  the  Senate,  addressed 
me,  iu  the  presence  of  Charles  Bullinch,  Esq.,  the  uational 
architect,  in  this  way  :  "  Mr.  Kelley,  I  think  much  of  your 
project,  and  will  do  all  I  can  when  it  comes  up  in  the  Sen- 
at3  to  sustain  it." 

As  early  as  1826,  I  began  to  communicate  with  mem- 
bers of  Congress  upon  the  subject  ol  the  settlement  of 
Oregou ;  that  year,  I  think,  with  the  Hon.  Timothy  Fuller, 
meml)er  of  the  House^  and  with  the  Hon.  Edward  Everett 
in  1827.     His  letter  speaks  about  it. 

Ti^    r»       o-  Washington,  IVlAncii  6,  1827. 

My  Dear  /Sir:  '  ' 

I  duly  received  and  read  with  great  interest  your 
letter  of  the  10th  of  February,  on  the  subject  of  a  settle- 
ment at  the  mouth  of  the  Columbia  River.    I  have  always 


[:  I 


94 

been  favorably  impressed,  on  the  subject  of  colonizing  the 
mouth  of  that  river,  on  the  ground  of  expediency  and 
public  safety.  You  know  how  we  are  situated  with  the 
British  government  in  regard  to  tliis  matter.  The  con- 
vention witli  England  expires  next  year.  While  it  lasts, 
the  conflicting  claims  of  tlie  two  governments  to  the  teni- 
tory,  in  view  of  the  settlement  of  the  country,  remain  open. 
In  this  state  of  things,  many  persons  have  thought  the 
settlement  of  the  mouth  of  the  Columbia  at  this  moment 
would  be  premature.  I  am  not  myself  prepared  to  admit 
this. 

But  the  late  period  of  the  session  at  wliich  I  received 
your  letter,  and  the  shortness  of  the  session  itself,  will,  I 
trust,  be  considered  b}'  yon  suflicient  reasons  for  not 
attempting  to  bring  forAvard  the  subject  this  winter.  In 
the  course  of  the  ensuing  summer,  it  is  probable  our  nego- 
tiations with  England  may  assume  some  decisive  character 
on  this  subject ;  and  we  shall  be  better  able  to  judge,  at 
the  opening  of  the  Congress,  whether  it  is  a  favorable  mo- 
ment for  moving  in  the  business.     Meantime, 

I  am,  Dear  Sir,  verj-^  faithfully  yours, 


11.  J.  Kelley,  Esq. 


EDWARD  EVEKET1\ 


Mr.  Everett  at  that  time  moved  in  the  House,  that  25 
square  miles  of  land  on  the  Columbia  be  made  me,  in 
view  of  a  settlement  of  the  country ;  not  exploration,  as 
some  seem  to  think. 

In  1831,  soon  after  the  incorporation  by  the  Massachu- 
setts Legislature  of  the  Oregon  Colonization  Society,  I 
prepared  a  petition  asking  of  Congress  the  establishment 
of  a  military  post  at  the  mouth  of  the  Columbia,  foi-  the 
protection  of  settlements  which  I  had  i^lanned  to  make  at 
that  place,  and  in  the  Valley  of  the  Wallamet;  and  for 
government  patronage.  Another  letter  from  Mr.  liiverctt 
spealvS  about  this  also. 

Washington,  Dec.  M,  1831. 
Hall  J.  Kelley,  Esq.  : 

Dear  Sir, — I  have  this  day  your  favor  of  the  9th. 
Two  days  ago  I  received  the  memorial  of  your  Society, 
without  any  letter  inforaiing  mo  what  it  was  wished  I 


^Il 


95 

shouM  do  with  it.  In  such  cases — which  Ircqucr.tl^'  occur 
— I  do  nut  feci  niyscli  at  liberty  to  withhold  the  petition, 
and  I  accordingly  presented  yours  to  the  House  and  moved 
its)  reference  to  the  Committee  of  Forei«jfn  All'airs ;  that 
l)eing  the  only  appropriate  committee.  In  doing  this,  I 
thought  that  duty  to  myself — to  avoid  public  misconcep- 
tion— required  me  to  state,  that  I  did  not  think  that,  at 
this  time,  the  prayer  of  the  petition  could  be  granted,  con- 
sistently with  the  convention  with  Great  Britain.  You 
are  uware  that  I  have  always  been  in  favor  of  proceeding, 
as  fast  as  public  faith  would  permit,  in  colonizing  the 
country  in  ({ueslion.  On  the  receipt  ol  jour  letter,  this 
day,  I  find  it  was  not  wished  that  1  should,  at  all  events, 
present  y(mr  memorial  in  the  House.  I  should  have  kept 
it  back  for  advisement,  had  any  letter  to  that  eiloct  accom- 
panied it.  I  am  ho^vcver  of  opinion,  that  the  Committee 
of  Foreign  Aliairs  is  as  favorable  as  any  other  connnittee 
of  the  House,  and  that  no  prejudice  to  your  Society  Avill 
result  from  its  presentation  at  this  time.  I  think  you  may 
depend  upon  your  i^ctition  being  *' kindly  received  and 
duly  considered  "  by  the  Committee  of  Foreign  Affairs ; 
that  they  will  report  favorably.  Candor  obliges  me  to  re- 
peat, Avhat  I  have  so  often  told  you,  that  I  cannot  promise 
you.  But  as  far  as  I  have  any  influence  with  the  com- 
mittee, it  shall  receive  their  candid  consideration. 

Committee  on  Foreign  Aflaus,  House  of  Rej^resenta- 
tives,  1831-2 :  Messrs.  Archer,  E.  Everett,  Mass.,  Tay- 
lor, Polk,  Crawford,  Baniwell,  Wayne. 

I  remain,  respectfully  yours, 

EDWARD  EVERETT. 


■  '3 


All  my  writings,  voluminous  they  were,  published  prior 
to  my  visit  to  Oregon,  testify  most  clearly  as  to  the  objects 
of  that  visit — ^that  of  the  country  and  good  to  the  Indian 
race,  were  the  ol)jccts.  The  General  Circular,  otherwise 
called.  "Manual,"  which  Lieut.  Slacum  found  in  the  hands 
of  tlje  settlers  in  the  Wallamet  Valley,  and  is  mentioned 
in  my  memorial  of  '48,  shows  further  and  most  conclu- 
sively about  them.     I  will  give  a  synopsis  of  its  contents. 

"  General  Circular  to  all  persons  wishing  to  migrate  to  the 
Oi'egon  Territory,  embracing  some  Account  of  the  Nat- 


Off 

uial  Advantages,  for  Trade  and  Commerce,  of  the  Coun- 
tr}' ;  and  of  tlie  ri;^ht  means  and  operations  by  which  it 
is  to  be  settled ;  and  all  necessary  Directions  tor  becom- 
ing an  Emigrant.  Hall  J.  Kelley,  General  Agent. 
By  order  ot  the  American  Society  for  Encouraging  the 
Settlement  of  the  Oregon  Territory.  Instituted  in 
Boston,  A.  D.  1829." 

"Oregon  Settlement  purposed  to  be  commenced  in  the 
Spring  of  1832,  in  the  delightful  and  fertile  Valley  of 
the  Wallamet,  a  tributary  to  the  Columbia." 

Under  this  head  is  given  some  geographical  account  of 
the  country;  its  natural  resources  ;  advantages  which  may 
accrue  to  our  nation  ;  and  a  report  of  a  committee  of  the 
Society  appointed  to  devise  ways  and  means  for  bringing 
about  the  settlement.    Here  is  an  extract  from  that  report. 

"Among  the  first  results  of  their  inquiry  is  a  clear  con- 
viction, that  the  time  is  near  at  hand  and  advancing  in  the 
ordinary  course  of  Providence,  Avhen  the  Oregon  Country 
shall  be  occupied  bj'^  an  enlightened  people,  skilled  in  the 
various  improvements  of  science  and  art.  A  people,  thus 
enlightened  and  skilled,  and  enjoying  the  advantages  of  a 
climate,  soil  and  markets,  as  good  in  their  kind  as  the 
earth  affords,  and  other  natural  means,  which  mostly  con- 
tribute to  the  comforts  and  conveniences  of  life — energized 
and  blessed  by  the  mild  and  vital  principles  of  tlie  Amer- 
ican Republic,  and  the  sacred  ordinances  of  the  Christian 
Religion,  would  be,  it  is  believed,  prosperous  aud  happy." 

"  The  settlement  carrying  on  a  trade  with  the  islands  of 
the  Pacific  and  with  the  people  about  the  shores  of  that 
ocean,  commensurate  with  its  wants,  must  advance  in 
prosperity  and  power  unexampled  in  the  history  of  nations. 
From  the  plenitude  of  its  own  resources,  it  will  soon  be 
enabled  to  sustain  its  own  o])eration8,  and  will  richly  re- 
ward the  maternal  kindness  that  helped  it  into  existence  ; 
and  will  hasten  on  to  empire  and  Avill  attain  (perhaps  at  a 
period  far  in  the  future)  to  a  proud  rank  among  the  Chris- 
tian nations  of  the  earth." 


"Survey  and  Division  of  Lands. — One  of  the  first 
things  to  be  done  after  the  arrival  of  the  emigrants  in  the 
Valley  of  the  Wallamet,  is  to  lay  out  lands  and  villages 


97 


for  (ioinnienntil  lownn.  Mcasinvs  will  hv  tukon  for  cstab- 
lisliinu,'  stiUlcmciits  iit  (irny's  Buy  and  tlio  ncrthoru  .side  of 
the  junction  of  the  Wallnniet  iind  C()hinjl)la  Rivers,  and  at 
tlio  Fulls  of  the  Wallaniec.  The  Buy  ojiens  Into  the  north- 
ern hank  of  the  Colun'.hia,  iihont  11  miles  from  ifs  mouth. 
Five  mileH  «(jnare  at  this  jjlaee  will  l)e  laid  out  for  a  sea- 
])f)rt  town.  Streets  oT  convenient  width  will  run  from  the 
water,  biseetln,!^  otiier  streets  at  ri_i»ht  angles.  At  dis- 
tances of  two  S(juares  is  to  he  an  area  of  ten  acres  for  pa- 
rade or  pK^asurc!  ground,  which  is  fon^ver  to  remain  open 
and  unoccu[)ied  witli  buildings.  Tlio  centre  of  the  main 
street,  or  thorouu'  hu-e,  of  the  uidth  of  100  feet,  is  to  bo 
devoted  to  the  puipose  of  a  ])nbrK!  mruket.  The  vallev  of 
the  Multnomah  is  to  be  chieily  occn])ied  for  commercial, 
agricultural  and  manufacturing  o[)erations.  The  metrop- 
olis of  the  country  is  designed  to  be  at  the  Falls.  Portions 
of  the  outlands  adjoining  the  towns  will  be  i)ut  into  lots, 
40  by  IfiO  rods,  jr  40  acres  each ;  making  the  iiumbci"  of 
their  divisions  equal  to  the  whole  number  of  emigrants 
over  14  years  of  age,  not  Including  manied  women. 
Next  to  these  will  be  other  lots  of  1(50  acres  each,  making 
up  the  complement  of  200  acres  to  each  emigrant.  Roads 
as  far  as  practicable  arc  to  bo  laid  out  in  rjglit  lines,  inter- 
secting each  other  at  right  angles.  It  is  desirable  that  all 
topographical  surveys  and  divisions  of  farming  lands  be 
made  by  the  method  Avhich,  two  years  ago,  Avas  suggested 
to  Congress — examined,  api>roAcd  of,  and  recommended 
by  Gen.  Bernard,  then  at  the  head  ot  the  corps  of  civil 
engineers.  It  has  many  advantages  over  the  method  in 
common  use.  It  is  more  easily  performed ;  numerous 
errors  of  the  compass  are  avoided ;  the  interests  of  the 
land  proprietor  better  promoted,  and  the  wide  door  for 
litigation,  which  often  costs  him  his  freehold,  effectually 
closed. 

"All  boundaries  of  towns  ar.d  lots  of  lands  should  be 
identified  with  meridional  lines  and  parallels  of  latitude, — 
not  by  the  parallels  as  found  on  the  surface  of  the  earth, 
where  they  are  as  crooked  as  the  hills,  and  depressions 
make  them  uneven ;  but  by  such  as  they  would  be,  if  the 
surface  ofthe  ground  was  level,  it  is  confidently  believed 
that  this  is  the  only  simple  method  by  which  westerly  or 
easterly  lines  can  be  run  vvith  precision,  and  that  it  is 
attended  with  as  much  certainty  as  the  high  operations  of 
U 


98 


tiigonometrical  surveys.  By  it  the  Ijoumlaries  oi  h>ts  and 
townships  Vvill  be  distinctly  marked  and  their  contents 
exactly  known.  A  countr}'  thus  surve3'ed  gives  the  ad- 
vantage of  ascertaining,  Avithoiit  expensive  admeasure- 
ments, the  relative  localities,  one  from  another ;  conse- 
quently, the  latitude  and  longitude  of  the  boundaries  of 
townships  being  determined,  those  of  any  of  tii"  smaller 
localities  are  readily  known." 

"Civil  Government. — The  Oregon  Territory  lies  be- 
yond the  civil  jurisdiction  of  the  United  States.  It  becomes, 
therefore,  a  matter  of  great  moment,  that  the  settlers  have 
some  form  of  government  provided,  either  l)y  Congress  or 
themselves.  Fatal  to  their  hap])iness  would  it  be,  for 
them  to  go  Avithout  the  means  of  subjecting  the  corrupt 
principles  of  depraved  natures.  Laws  made  elUcient,  by 
the  higliest  virtues  and  energies  of  the  people,  are  neces- 
sary to  the  encouragement  oC  virtue,  the  punishment  of 
vice,  the  enjoyment  of  lite  and  liberty,  the  acquisition  of 
property  and  security  of  comfoi't  and  safety  ;  as  likewise, 
to  the  suppression  of  the  restless  spirits  of  asjiiring  and 
unprincipled  demagogues,  who  infest  every  political  soci- 
et}',  have  ever  aimc'J  at  civil  conunotion  and  usui-pation, 
and  have  ever  been  ready  to  make  the  fairest  c^pot  of  eai-th, 
the  theatre  oC  Isiwlcss  ambition. 

"  Whatever  be  its  frame,  it  should  be  one  of  tlie  most 
finished  improvements  of  others.  Whether  the  settlers 
are  to  be  considered  children  ui  mature  age,  made  free, 
and  setting  up  for  themselves,  constituting,  in  some  de- 
gree, an  independent  Province,  the  friend  and  allV  ot  the 
mother  couiitiy  ;  sharing  in  her  generous  and  maternal  so- 
licitude ;  or  \vhether  tliey  are  to  he  a  Colony,  [danted, 
cherished  and  piotected  by  her,  depends  entirely  on  Con- 
gress. That  the  latter  should  bo  the  case,  is  the  ])rayer  of 
a  memoi-ial,atthe  ]n'esc!\t  time,  [181)1,]  before  that  august 
assemblage  of  talents,  virtue  and  wisdom. 

"  Should  the  emigrants  fail  of  that  Charter,  Avhich  rea- 
son and  justice  dictate,  and  humanity  calls  for,  they  will 
attempt  to  frame  a  temporary  Commonwealth,  and  to  make 
for  themselves  just  and  ecpial  laws,  under  the  provisions  of 
their  form  of  government,  so  far  bee  and  democratic  as  will 
be  consistent  with  an  unequivocal  recognition  of  the  sove- 
reignty of  the  American  Repuhlic.     Le£  it  bo  the  Com- 


99 

inonNvcjilth  until  Congress  ]:)rt'sciibcs  a  substitute.  The 
emigrant  citizens  will  leave  the  land  of  their  fathers  under 
no  circumstances  of  o])prcsslon,  and  with  no  feelings  of 
discontent,  resolved  still  to  cultivate  only  the  lields  ol  civil 
and  religious  ireedom,  where  lile  is  made  ^\g  most  easy 
and  felicitous,  and  civilized  man  attains  his  greatest  power, 
and  his  most  dignilied  su])eriority  over  the  man  in  igno- 
rance and  in  vassalage  ;  still  animated  by  the  holy  and  un- 
extingulshablo  lire,  kindled  Avitli  that  of  the  best  lovers  of 
American  Independence,  they  will  ever  be  a  free  people." 

"Religion. — The  Eellgion  of  the  settlement,  it  is 
hoped,  will  be  the  religion  of  conscience  and  of  the  Prince 
of  Peace.  No  people  can  long  continue  free  and  hapi^y, 
Avithout  acknowledging  with  pious  reverence  and  obedi- 
ence, the  laws  of  Jehovah ;  giving  full  toleration  to  all 
communities  of  his  conscientious  worshipers,'  however 
various  their  forms ;  and  feeling  due  respect  and  love  for 
those  who  minister  at  the  sacred  altar,  and  are  accounted 
'workers  together  witii  Christ,'  in  labors < hat  succeed  unto 
eternal  life." 


I  M 


"  Educatiox. — Tlio  cdueatiou  of  voutli  is  the  safeiruard 
of  free  government,  and,  together  Mlth  faith  in  Christ,  is 
the  basis  of  the  blessingy  and  enjoyments  of  civil  and 
religious  Jrecdom.  In  order,  then,  for  the  diUuslou  of 
elementar>'  and  scientific  and  religious  instruction,  both 
among  the  childi  in  of  the  settlere  and  of  the  Indian  tribes, 
some  etficlLMit  and  ap])ropriate  system  of  education  should 
be  adopted;  and  wiiatever  will  best  civilize  the  manners, 
reform  ihi  morals,  enlighten  the  mind,  and  free  it  from 
the  grasp  of  ignorance  and  superstition,  should  belong  to 
iu.:t  system. 

"Schools  of  every  grade,  and  religious  institutions,  are 
objects  ^^x)l'thy  the  earliest  consideration  of  the  settlers. 
Agricultui-al  and  classical  institutions  and  colleges  should 
also  receive  the  earliest  attention.  The  children  of  the 
forest,  as  well  as  the  sons  and  daughters  of  civilized  lands, 
ehould  be  taught  the  rudiments  of  learning,  the  sciences, 
morality,  farming  industry,  and  that  knowledge  of  meu 
and  things  which  best  enlighten,  elevate  and  dignify  the 
mind.  Youth  in  this  way,  while  yet  little  children,  should 
bo  cared  for.     Every  mortal,  >vhatever  be  his  color,  or 


100 

wherever  be  his  abode,  If  tralucd  up  m  the  mirtuie  and 
aclinouition  of  the  Lord,  will  be  upheld  by  the  free  spirit 
of  God,  and  will  be  prompted  to  sa^'^  as  one  of  old,  'I 
w  A  praise  the  Lord  \Yhile  I  have  breath,  and  glorify  him 
Avhile  I  have  existence.'  " 


"Emigration. — The  ultimate  success  of  the  settlement 
depends  very  nmch,  if  not  entirely,  on  the  virtuous  quali- 
ties of  its  members.  If  its  elementary  principles  are  de- 
fective, the  result  of  its  operations  will  be  unceilain,  and 
productive  of  but  little  good,  if  not  entirely  aboilive. 
The  settlement  ought  not,  therefore,  to  bo  made  the  recep- 
tacle of  vicious  characters,  or  drones  too  indolent  to  pursue 
any  honest  or  useful  occupation  ;  of  cunning  persons,  pos- 
sessing talents  without  viituous  principles ;  ot  idle  dream- 
ers of  power  and  riches,  who,  faithless  to  good  o:  icr,  are 
often  ready  to  sa})  the  foundation  of  morality  and  relig- 
ion;— such  are  a  burden  and  a  curse  to  society.  Men  of 
steady  hal)its,  virtuous  intentions,  endeavoring  to  eultiyato 
practical  knowledge  and  honest  industry,  Avill  be  deemed 
worthy  of  the  enterprise  ;  and  such  persons  may,  in  Ore- 
gon, secure  to  themselves  a  pleasant  home  and  competency 
of  good  things — subserve  individual  happiness  and  sustain 
the  great  objects  of  founding  the  settlement.'^ 

"Route. — The  emigrants  will  be  embodied  at  St.  Louis, 
and  will  from  thence;  ])roceed  in  military  order,  under  con- 
ductors well  acquainted  \vith  the  C(;untry,  to  the  place  of 
their  destination.  Capt.  IjonncvilJe,  of  the  U.  S.  army, 
and  Major  Pilcher,  the  Indian  agent  at  the  Platte  country, 
are  to  have  the  chief  coniniand — Ca])t.  Nathaniel  Wyeth, 
to  have  a  cajAaincy.  The  route  will  be  Avestcrly,  near 
the  mouth  of  the  Platte,  and  up  that  river  to  its  source, 
making  the  transit  oi  the  mountains,  througli  tiic  Southern 
Paffi;  thence  to  Uie  Valley  of  tiie  Wallamet.  The  prac- 
ticability ol  this  route  is  described  in  a  memoir  to  Con- 
gress in  1830,  by  Mcssis.  Smith,  Jackscm  and  Sublette, 
and  JMr.  Pilcher.  They  say  :  '  On  the  10th  of  April,  ISoO, 
we  set  out  from  St.  Louis,  with  a  caravan  of  ten  wagons, 
drawn  by  five  nmles  each,  and  two  dearliorus,  drawn  by 
one  mule  each.  We  have  eighty -one  men  in  company,  all 
mounted  on  mules.  Our  route  was  nearly  due  west,  to 
the  western  limits  of  the  State  ;  and  thence  alonir  the  Santa 


101 


Fe  trail  about  forty  miles ;  irom  which  the  course  was 
some  clef>reos  north  ot  west,  across  the  waters  of  the  Kan- 
sas, and  up  the  Great  Platte  to  the  Rocky  Mountains,  and 
to  the  head  of  Wind  river,  where  it  issues  from  the  moun- 
tains. Here  the  wagons  could  have  easily  crossed  the 
mountah)S,  it  being  what  is  called  the  Soufharn  T^ass,  had 
it  been  desirable.  For  our  support,  at  leaving  the  Mis- 
souri settlements,  until  we  should  get  into  the  bufl'alo 
country,  we  drove  twelve  head  of  cattle,  besides  a  milch 
cow,  eight  oi  these  only  being  required  for  use  before  we 
got  to  the  bud'aloes  ;  the  others  Avent  on  the  Platte,  about 
three  hundred  and  lift}'  miles  from  the  white  settlements, 
and  from  that  time  lived  on  l^ulialoes,  the  quantity  being 
infinitely  beyond  wiiat  we  needed.' 

"Mr.  Pilcher  remarks  tliat  the  most  erroneous  ideas 
prevail  on  the  practical )ility  of  crossing  the  Kocky  Mount- 
ains. 'I  have  been,'  says  lie,  'familiar  with  these  mount- 
ains, for  three  years,  and  have  crossed  them  often,  and  at 
various  points  between  the  latitude  42  and  54.  I  have, 
therefore,  the  means  to  know-  something  about  th  )m,  and  a 
right  to  oppose  my  knowledge  to  the  suppositions  of  stian- 
gers.  I  say,  then,  that  nothing  is  more  easily  passed  than 
these  mountains.  AV^agons  and  carriages  may  cross  tlicm 
in  a  state  of  nature  Avithout  difficulty,  antl  with  little  delay 
in  the  day's  journey.  Some  parts  are  very  high  ;  but  the 
gradual  I'ise  of  the  country  in  the  vast  slope  from  the  JNIis- 
sissippi  to  the  foot  of  the  mountains,  makes  a  considerable 
elevation  without  perceptible  increase,  and  then  the  gaps 
or  depressions  let  you  through  almost  upon  a  level.  This 
is  particularly  the  case  op[)osite  the  head  ot  the  Platte, 
where  I  crossed  in  1827.  I  have  crossed  here  often,  and 
always  without  delay  or  dlihculty.' 

"  Mr.  Pilcher,  in  his  connnunication  to  Congress,  through 
the  Secretary  of  War,  Mr.  Eaton,  remarks  that  in  1829 
he  visited  Columbia  river,  and  '  found  the  mildness  of  the 
seasons  infinitely  greater  than  in  the  corresjionding  latitudes 
and  elevations  in  the  valley  of  the  Mississippi,  or  in  the 
Atlantic  States.  The  winters  are  less  cold  and  the  sum- 
mers less  hot.  As  a  proof  of  this,  may  be  mentioned,  the 
state  of  the  (/rass,  M'liich  is  green  and  juicy  nearly  all  win- 
ter, allbrding  excellent  pasture  for  horses,  on  Avhich  those 
animals  not  only  sustain  themselves,  but  the  poor  and  lean 
get  in  good  order. '    The  section  of  the  country  called  by 


iiiii 


Pacific  N.  W.  History  Dept 

PROVINCIAL  LIBRARY     ' 
VICTORIA,  a  C. 


102 

him,  the  middle  regions  or  plains,  he  says  '  is  remarkable  for  a 
mild  climate,  a  cloar  sky,  a  serene  atmosphere,  and  a  soft  and 
brilliant  sunshine.  The  nights,  when  the  moon  is  near  full,  and 
the  hemisphere  studded  over  with  stars,  are  indescribably  beau- 
tiful. The  tide  water  region  has  a  climate  of  its  own.  Ico  or 
snow  is  seldom  seen  ;  the  heats  are  never  great ;  and  Avinter  is 
hardly  a  distinct  season.'  " 

This  Pass  in  '37  or  '40,  some  years  after  the  settlement  of 
Oregon,  was  minutely  examined  by  Fremont.  He  describes  it 
as  being  passable  with  loaded  wagons.  So  thousands  have 
found  it.  It  is  now  the  thoroughfare  to  Oregon.  Since  the 
giants  and  lions  have  been  slain,  men,  women  and  children  have 
crossed  the  "Western  prairies  and  the  Rocky  Mountains,  finding 
no  "  three  years'  journey" — no  "  insurmountable  difficulties." 
The  early  emigrants  seem  to  have  adopted  my  plan  of  traveling 
it.  They  took  cattle  along  with  them,  which,  there  being  no 
necessity  to  slaughter,  were  in  some  instances  driven  to  the 
Wallamet  Valley.  They  found  comfort  and  pleasure  at  every 
encampment.  My  expedition  was  to  have  had  similar  or  greater 
conveniences,  and  would  have  found  like  comforts  and  pleasures. 
After  the  evening  repast,  the  fatigues  of  the  day  would  have 
been  forgotten  in  recounting  the  agreeable  things  of  the  past,  in 
the  pleasing  anticipation  of  things  future,  and  in  the  story  and 
the  song  ;  and  pleasures  from  full  flowing  bowls  would  have  be- 
longed to  the  cheer  of  the  party.  I  am  particular  in  the  descrip- 
tion of  this  route,  to  show  the  utter  falsities  of  those  who  op- 
pugned the  enterprue.  I  Avill  notice  some  of  the  objections 
which  mean  and  self-interested  men,  opposed  to  it,  and  the  ac- 
count of  the  route,  and  the  imaginary  difficulties  and  insur- 
mountable hardships,  and  of  terrible  disasters  wiiich  they  said 
would  inevitably  befall  the  emigrant^.  The  Indians,  say  they, 
are  hostile,  and  the  country  a  barren  waste,  this  side  of  the 
Rocky  Mountains.  Hardships  and  privations  will  attend  every 
step  of  the  expedition,  and  be  made  the  suffering  lot  of  young 
and  old,  through  the  first  generation.  These  objections  are 
futile  and  delusive,  and  are  calculated  to  perpetuate  the  wants 
and  hard  fortune  of  many  who  might  secure  to  themselves  and 
posterity,  permanent  blessings,  in  a  healthful  and  productive 
country.  Let  the  reflecting  and  provident  man  choose  the 
country  where  something  more  than  fertile  soil  is  found,  and  let 
the  means  of  securing  health  and  property,  and  generally,  the 
comforts  of  life,  determine  his  choice.  Other  objections  are 
made,  without  any  knowledge  of  the  country  through  which  the 


103 


expedition  will  pass,  or  of  the  mild  and  friendly  disposition  of 
the  Oregon  Indians  ;  of  the  resources  of  that  country  ;  or  of 
the  facilities  and  ease  by  which  the  expedition  may  be  effected. 

A  hireling'-vvriter  in  the  New  England  Magazine,  Vol.  II. 
1882,  with  the  vile  purpose  of  preventing  emigration,  and  the 
settlement,  says  :  "  Those  who  reach  St.  Louis  will  find  there 
many  who  have  been  to  Oregon  and  found  no  temptation  io  re- 
main there.  These  will  treat  their  undertaking  Avith  the  scorn 
it  deserves  ;  and  if  they  go  farther,  it  Avill  be  in  spite  of  good 
advice.  The  people  of  Missouri,  though  a  little  addicted  to 
dirking  and  dueling,  arc  not  destitute  of  humanity,  and  will  not 
see  their  fellow-creatures  perish  without  expostulation. — If  our 
friends  are  ready  to  start  from  St.  Louis  by  the  first  of  June, 
they  will  have  done  wonders  ;  if  ('icy  reach  the  mouth  of  the 
Platte  in  a  month  more,  it  will  be  l  ore  than  we  think  possible. 
Thence  they  have  a  thousand  miles  to  go  before  they  reach  the 
Rocky  Mountains.  At  the  above-mentioned  i*ate  of  traveling, 
they  would  reach  the  dividing  ridge  about  the  last  of  Septem- 
ber ;  that  is,  supposing  they  met  with  no  accident,  hinderance, 
or  delay.  But  there  are  many  obstacles  to  their  progress, 
against  all  of  which  they  may,  and  some  of  which  they  must,  be 
obliged  to  contend.  They  cannot  take  provisions  with  them  for 
more  than  a  few  days,  and  must,  therefore,  depend  on  their 
guns  for  supijort. — There  are  bears,  indeed,  but  these  are  of  the 
kind  properly  called  by  naturalists,  horrUnlis.  These  are  much 
more  likely  to  feed  on  the  travelers,  than  to  furnish  them  with  a 
meal.  Likewise  there  are  owls,  marmots,  rattlesnakes,  and 
other  vermin,  on  which  all  who  make  long  journeys  in  the  ateppes 
of  North  America  must  occasionally  be  content  to  dine,  and  be 
thankful  for  the  god-send. — The  country  through  which  the  ad- 
venturers must  pass  is  a  level  plain,  where  the  eye  seeks  in  vain 
for  a  tree  or  a  shrub.  The  streams  only  are  scantily  fringed 
with  wood.  In  some  places  the  emigrants  must  travel  days  and 
nights  without  finding  wood  or  water.  None  but  those  who  have 
endured  these  privations  can  conceive  the  sufferings  attendant 
on  them.  And  supposing  the  horses  are  not  stolen  by  the  In- 
dians, or  driven  away  by  the  wolves  and  grizzly  bears,  they  can- 
not find  food.  The  ground  is  covered  with  herbage  for  a  few 
weeks  in  the  year  only .  The  Indians  burn  the  prairies  regu- 
larly, twice  a  year,  from  Lake  Winipeg  to  Mexico,  and  for  at 
least  nine  months  in  the  twelve,  nine-tenths  of  their  area  is  as 
bare  of  vegetation  as  the  Desert  of  Sahara. — The  country 
through  which  the  expedition  must  pass  is  precisely  in  the  track 
of  all  the  war  parties  that  travel  over  the  space  between  the 


104 


Missouri  and  the  Rocky  Mountains.  It  is  the  abiding  place  and 
the  battle-ground  of  fifty  Avarlike  tribes.  We  grant  that  there 
is  not  an  individual  among  them  who  will  not  receive  a  stranger 
kindly,  in  his  wigwam,  and  give  him  to  eat  of  the  best ;  but 
neither  is  there  an  individual  among  them  who  will  not  cut  that 
stranger's  throat,  for  the  value  of  his  gim  flint,  if  he  meets  him 
alone  in  the  prairie.  Besides,  it  is  their  rule,  when  they  under- 
take a  warlike  enterprise,  not  to  bear  the  sword  in  vain  ;  and  if 
they  happen  to  be  unsuccessful,  or  defeated,  woe  to  him  who 
crosses  their  path.  We  could  adduce  a  hundred  instances  of 
American  citizens  who  have  been  put  to  death  for  no  other  cause 
than  having  accidentally  fallen  in  the  way  of  an  unsuccessful 
war  party.  Was  not  the  last  caravan  that  went  from  St.  Louis 
to  Santa  Fc  repeatedly  assailed,  and  only  preserved  from  de- 
struction by  a  strong  armed  party  of  United  States  trooj)s  ? 
Those  travelers  gave  no  offence  to  the  savages,  unless  passing 
through  their  country  be  considered  such. — We  make  no  doubt 
that  the  emigrants  are  numerous  enough  to  beat  any  number  of 
savages  that  can  be  assembled,  in  a  fair  field.  But  Indians  dp 
not  fight  pitched  battles ;  they  come  when  they  are  least  ex- 
pected, and,  if  they  find  too  much  resistance,  retire  and  wait  for 
a  more  favorable  opportunity.  In  so  long  a  march,  it  is  impos- 
sible that  so  many  can  keep  together.  The  Indians  may  easily 
cut  off  the  stragglers,  and  those  who,  from  very  weariness,  fall  in 
the  rear.  They  may  drive  the  buffalo  out  of  their  road,  and 
bum  the  prairie  before  them,  so  that  their  horses  must  perish, 
and  in  consequence,  the  women  and  children  also.  In  a  word, 
it  is  impossible  that  such  a  body  can  make  so  long  a  journey, 
through  a  hostile  country,  without  a  hundred  times  exposing 
themselves  to  attack  at  disadvantage.  That  they  will  lose  their 
horses,  we  consider  absolutely  certain  ;  and  if  they  do,  the 
women  and  children  will  inevitably  perish  l)y  hunger  or  the  tom- 
ahawk. If  they  are  not  assailed  more  than  once  before  they 
reach  the  Platte,  then  must  the  Indians  have  changed  their 
opinions ;  nay,  their  vory  nature. — The  project  of  a  settlement 
on  Columbia  river  has  been  repeatedly  before  Congress,  and  has 
been  pronounced  visionary  by  the  wisdom  of  the  nation.  At 
this  present  session,  such  an  opinion  has  been  expressed  by  one 
of  the  best  and  greatest  men  in  the  country,  and  there  is  little 
appearance  of  any  measures  in  favor  of  the  expedition. 

"  We  are  told  that  General  Ashley  and  Mr.  Pilcher  encour- 
age this  undertaking.  "  Have  not  the  parties  imder  their  com- 
mand been  re])eatedly  attacked  ?  Have  not  very  many  of  their 
people  perished  with  cold  and  hunger,  or  been  killed  by  wild 


105 


ord, 

■ney, 

osing 

;heir 

the 

:om- 
they 
;heir 
nent 

has 
At 

one 
little 

cour- 

coin- 

their 

wild 


beasts  and  Indians  ?  Did  any  white  man  ever  cross  the  Rocky 
Mountains,  who  will  say  tliat  a  white  woman  could  have  followed 
him  ?  In  short,  to  live  in  an  Indian  country,  man  must  be  able 
to  move  with  a  celerity  which  cannot  have  being  in  our  body  of 
emigrants. — We  have  taken  it  for  granted,  that  they  have  found 
a  practicable  road  into  the  mountains.  Messrs.  Pilcher  and 
Ashley  say  there  is  one  ;  at  least,  so  Mr.  Kelley  tells  us.  Per- 
haps it  would  be  well  to  inquire  if  these  gentlemen  (who  have 
much  business  beyond  llie  Rocky  Mountains)  have  not  some 
interest  to  desire  a  settlement  on  the  Columbia.  But  they  are 
far  distant,  and  we  have  no  wish  to  iiapute  other  than  the  best 
motives  to  them.  Let  it  suffice  that  the  emigrants  have  now 
gone  over  half  their  distance. 

"  We  know  there  is  a  nutriment  in  old  shoes  ;  and  though 
two-thirds  of  Capt.  Franklin's  men  died  of  abdominal  cramp  in 
(sonsequence  of  eating  tripeB  de  roches,  that  fungous  aliment 
may  agree  better  with  the  emigrants.  It  is  but  trying  it,  when 
the  worst  comes  to  worst.  .  With  these  helps,  then,  we  will  sup- 
pose our  friends  have  starved  through  the  winter  with  the  wolves. 
The  horses  may  also  be  s\ipposed  to  have  been  brought  through 
the  winter  as  they  were  through  the  praiiics,  by  the  especial 
favor  of  Providence.  By  the  first  of  April,  perhaps,  the  expe- 
dition will  be  ready  to  start  afresh,  and  a  proper  day  it  will  be 
for  the  renewal  of  such  a  journey. — That  a  party  of  young,  brave, 
hardy  men  may  cross  the  continent  to  the  mouth  of  the  Colum- 
bia, we  know  ;  but  that  a  large  body  of  the  inhabitants  of  'Nevf 
England,  wholly  unacquainted  with  Indian  life,  and  encumbered 
with  baggage  and  tlieir  families,  can  do  so,  we  hold  impossible. 
We  think  we  have  proved  that  it  is  so.  Our  facts  cannot  be 
disputed,  and  the  inference  is  as  clear  as  a  geometrical  demon- 
stration. We  do  net  know  that  the  prime  mover  of  tlie  folly  we 
have  exposed  • ,  actuated  by  any  evil  motive ;  we  do  not  believe 
it.  We  look  upon  him  as  an  unfortunate  man,  who,  deluded  him- 
self, is  deluding  others,  and  conceive  it  our  duty  to  warn  those 
who  are  about  to  follow  him  on  the  road  to  ruin.  To  con- 
clude, we  advise  those  who  have  been  so  unfortunate  as  to 
embark  in  this  enterprise,  to  erase  their  names  from  the  list 
as  soon  as  possible.  If  they  cannot  retrieve  the  money  they 
may  have  advanced,  let  them  con::ider  it  better  lost,  than  fol- 
lowed to  Oregon,  and  be  thankful  that  they  have  so  escaped." 

This  hireling,  in  a  previous  article  touching*  the  expedi- 
tion, said :  "  A  gontlenian,  for  Avhose  talents  and  amhition 
his  native  land  does  not  altbrd  sulficient  scope,  has  been 
employing  his  leisure  in  devising  schemes  to  better  the 
14 


H 


i 


106 

condition  of  hia  fellow-coiintiynien.  His  studies  have  not 
been  in  vain;  if  his  plan  sliould  prove  ])i'actieablo,  nations 
yet  to  be  born  will  bless  him  as  their  father  and  benefactor. 
In  a  word,  ho  has  issued  adveitisemonts,  inviting  the  good 
people  of  New  England  to  leave  their  homos,  their  con- 
nections, and  the  comforts  of  civilised  society,  and  follow 
him  across  the  continent  to  the  shores  of  the  Pacilic. 
When  Ave  heard  of  this  scheme,  our  first  impressions  re- 
speciing  the  moi'als  of  its  originator  Avas  by  no  means 
favorable.  His  noble  confidence  in  his  abilities  as  a  gov- 
ernor and  a  guide  over  territories  he  had  not  seen,  to  a 
country  in  which  he  had  never  been,  apjieared  extremely 
like  impudence. — When  we  C(jnsidcr  the  dangers  and 
hardships  which  he,  as  well  as  those  he  may  delude,  must 
undergo  ;  when  we  think  of  the  risk  he  has  run,  and  still 
runs,  of  being  8(Mit  to  the  insane  hospital ;  Aviieu  Ave  reflect 
on  his  ceitain  disappointments,  and  the  ridicule  he  Avill  • 
incur  by  it,  we  arc  constrained  to  believe  that  disinterested 
benevolence  is  his  motive.  We  are  informed  that  this  ex- 
cellent person  has  noAv  a  list  of  the  names  of  many  hundred, 
persons  Avho  receive  his  dreams  as  oracles." 

Such  vile  sayings  as  these;,  and  the  reports  of  my  wicked 
adversaries  in  high  j^laces,  Avhose  influence  in  the  Avay  of 
Avhisper  spread  like  contagion  over  the  length  and  breadth 
of  the  land,  pan'c-struck  my  followers  and  turned  them 
back,  every  one  of  them,  and  turned  the  few  who  had 
promised  contributions  to  my  funds,  from  their  benevolent 
purpose ;  but  not  the  projector  of  the  Oregon  enterprise 
from  his. 

"Indians." — This  is  the  last  subject  of  the  Manual, 
importtmt  to  be  noticed.  Under  this  head  it  is  stated  that 
"the  first  ninety  miles  of  tlie  banks  of  the  Columbia  river 
are  occupied  by  eight  independent  tribes  of  Indians,  num- 
bering, about  8000  souls ;  these  include  about  1000  male 
adults,  Avho  arc  truer  in  the  excellence  of  moral  integrity — 
are  more  hospitable  to  strangers  and  less  disi)osed  to  quarrel, 
than  those  on  the  eastern  side  of  the  Eocky  Mountains, 
where  the  red  man  is  more  cxjioscd  to  the  demoralizing 
influences  and  the  Avrath  of  Avhite  men.  They  are  fond  ot 
the  society  of  Avhite  men,  and  are  ga  er  ready  to  appreciate 
and  promptly  to  recipnjcate  fair  and  honest  dealing. 
Nothing  is  more  remote  fi'om  the  intentions  of  the  Society 


, 


107 


than  to  o[)pr(;88  them,  or  to  occupy  their  lands,  without 
makino-  them  ample  and  satislactory  remuneration."  Here 
I  leave  ihd  Manual.  Tins  document  is  not  jj^iven  in  the 
exact  lan<>nai>e  in  wliieli  it  was  coiiched.  It  would  be 
mollifying-  to  do  it.  It  does  not  furnish  a  iair  specimen 
of  my  comj)osition.  The  productions  of  my  pen  in  1829, 
and  several  after  years,  were  abundantly  marked  with 
faults.  At  times  of  mental  excitem(Mit  an<l  nervous  irrita- 
tion, I  almost  lost  tlu;  physical  u1)ility  of  speech,  and  was 
scarcely  able  to  converse  or  write  lipon  any  subject,  how- 
ever familiar.  At  every  ellort  my  language  Avas  broken, 
and  full  of  (urors.  One  of  the  hireling  writers  of  my  ad- 
versaries, in  a  Boston  periodical  in  1832,  sa3S  "he  mur- 
ders the  King's  English."  It  was  too  true.  I  could  not 
help  it ;  terrible  shocks  which  had  been  given  to  the  mind 
and  nervous  system  caused  it.  (See  p.  15,  and  App.  D.) 
I  must  further  curtail  this  book,  and  omit  for  the  pres- 
ent much  I  would  say  of  the  good  things  planned  for  those 
benighted,  oppressed  and  down-trodden  ancients.  (See 
App.  U.)  liut  I  am  constrained  to  speak  of  cruelties 
continued  to  be  practiced  upon  them,  by  those  that  "hate" 
them,  at  the  time  of  my  sojourn  among  their  tribes.  The 
immediato  object  of  the  Oregon  enterprise  was  coloniza' 
Hon;  and  blessings  that  would  accrue  therefrom  to  man- 
kind were  ultimate  objects.  Viewing  with  no  common 
feelings  of  distress  tlie  abject  and  pitiable  condition  of  the 
Indians  of  that  territory ;  and  seeing  them  destitute  of  the 
refinementb  of  civilization,  and  deprived  of  all  the  com- 
forts uud  conveniences  peculiar  to  enlightened  life,  I 
planned  to  found  among  them  the  civil  and  religious  insti- 
tutions of  my  native  land ;  and  to  funiisli  them  with  a 
better  system  of  kindness  and  fair  dealing  than  had  ever 
beer  proposed  by  my  countrymen.  But,  alas  I  though  I 
had  studied  and  desired  much  to  stoj)  the  effusion  of  their 
blood  ;  and  to  stay  their  waning  fortunes ;  yet,  was  unable 
to  effect  any  thing  to  their  advantage.  A  strange  fatality 
attended  every  effort.  The  finger  of  the  Almighty  seemed 
to  be  raised  against  them,  as  though  it  was  his  righteous 
purpose  utterly  to  destroy  them ;  and  thereby  speedily  re- 
move the  dai'kness  from  that  land.  To  this  end,  hunters 
and  trappers  may  have  been  made  the  guilty  scoui'ge  and 
bloody  instruments  for  their  extennination.  An  other  part 
was  to  settle  with  a  people  who  could  carry  thither,  the 
ever-burning  lights  of  civilization  and  the  gospel. 


it 


108 


In  the  yeai-s  '31  and  '32,  tlio  American  hunters  seemed 
to  ha^^  concerted  together  for  the  entire  extermination  ol 
the  Indian  race,  in  the  region  beyond  the  Rocky  Mountains. 
A  cei'tain  one  of  the  servants  of  the  Hudson  Bay  Company, 
the  physician  at  Fort  Vancouver,  about  the  same  time 
began  to  administer  poisonous  drugs  to  the  tri1>e£  in  tlie 
valley  of  the  Columbia;  awhile  pill  to  whom  he  would 
cure,  and  a  blade  pill  to  whom  he  would  destroy.  I  was 
an- eye  witness  to  some  of  the  wanton  and  savage  cruelties 
by  Americans  that  roamed  tlie  regions  of  California  and 
Oregon. 

Young,  in  his  paper  given  by  him  to  Lieut.  Slacuui,  the 
government  agent,  states  that  "five  persons  joined  the 
pally  at  St.  Josephs,  California."  Two  of  them  had  be- 
longed to  the  party  of  twenty-five,  under  Walker,  of  whom 
Capt.  Bonneville  speaks  in  his  "  Adventmes  beyond  the 
Rocky  Mountains."  Walker's  chief  object  had  been,  for 
more  than  a  year,  to  hunt  and  destroy  Indians.  Those 
two  i:)erson8,  themselves,  informed  me  about  it,  and  spoke 
often  of  the  black  flag,  the  rifle,  and  the  arsenic.  The 
other  three  vvere  runaway  sailors — may  have  been  pirates ; 
they  were  now  marauders  and  Indian  assassins.  I  will 
illustrate.  Some  days  after,  crossing  the  Jaquin  river  to- 
wards evening,  we  passed  an  Indian  village ;  three  of  the 
monster  men,  finding  the  males  absent,  entered  their 
dwellings,  ravished  the  women,  and  took  away  some  of 
their  most  valuable  ell'ects,  and  overtook  the  party  at  the 
place  of  encampment.  I  saw  in  their  possession  some  of 
the  articles  of  their  plunder.  The  next  day,  after  pro- 
ceeding two  or  three  miles  over  the  prairie,  one  of  the 
party  cried  out,  "Indians  are  coming,"  and  there  were 
fifty  or  more  Indians  advancing  towards  us.  I  turned  and 
advanced  towards  tliem  ;  the  men  in  the  rear  of  the  animals 
were  with  me.  The  Indians  halted  and  I  halted,  at  the 
distance  of  perhaps  two  rods  from  the  chief.  He  was  tiill, 
good-looking,  stood  firm  and  seemed  imdaimtod  before  us. 
A  red  card  was  pendent  from  his  plumed  cap,  he  held  in 
the  right  hand  his  bow,  and  in  the  left  a  quiver.  He  ad- 
dressed me  as  though  ho  would  explain  what  brought  him 
and  his  men  to  that  place.  He  spoke  in  the  language  of 
nature,  and  I  thought  I  understood  what  he  said.  I  ad- 
dreesed  him,  also,  in  the  languago  of  nature,  by  gestures 
and  significant  motions;   tried  to  induce  a  retreat,  and 


loa 


s£|,vo  the  llvos  of  his  yomi«j;  warriors ;  pointed  to  our  rifles 
and  to  tlieir  hows,  and  to  the  ground  ;  and  I  tried  to  havo 
him  understiind  that  I  was  his  friend  and  the  tnend  of  hia 
people  ;  and  that  my  men  had  <»iven  him  occasion  to  pur- 
sue us,  and  provocation  for  revenge.  My  paily  seemed 
lieitse  for  fight ;  but  were  pereuaded  to  let  the  pursuers 
retreat  unhanned.  The  chief  gave  a  A\ord  of  command, 
and  they  turned  about  and  hastened  from  us ;  but  he,  him- 
self, stood  awhile,  looking  towards  us  as  though  he  feared 
not  deatli.  Turning  slowly  upon  his  heel,  he  walked  away. 
Two  of  the  party  stalled  to  follow.  I  begged  they  would 
not;  they  persisted,  saying  they  would  do  him  no  harm. 
In  fifteen  or  twenty  minutes  after  this,  I  heard  the  reports 
of  their  rifles.  On  their  retuni  I  inquired  if  they  had  shot 
the  chief.  The  reply  was,  No,  wo  fired  a  salute ;  but, 
alas  !  I  saw  among  their  ellects  the' identical  card,  the  bow, 
and  the  quiver,  and  I  wept.  After  a  few  days  I  saw,  on 
the  opposite  side  of  the  Sacramento,  ten  or  a  dozen.  In- 
dians. Young  said  " they  were  hostile  Indians."  They 
were  the  same  Indians  that  had  just  escaped  the  bloody 
hands  of  the  party,  and  were  pursuing  us  to  avenge  the 
wrongs  done  them.  Some  days  after  this,  we  crossed  the 
river  called  American  and  encamped  on  its  banks,  and  the 
animals  put  to  feed  near  by. 

Nearly  opposite  the  encampment  was  an  Indian  village, 
and  till  late  in  the  evening  was  heard  from  it  a  doleful 
noise,  and  beating  on  liollow  logs.  In  the  morning  it  was 
found  that  seven  of  our  animals  had  been  killed,  doubtless, 
by  those  provoked  to  pursue  us.  When  the  party  were 
about  to  leave,  seven  Indians  crossed  the  river  twenty  or 
thirty  rods  from  us.  Five  of  them  ventured  to  come  up 
to  the  camj) ;  the  other  two  stood  upon  the  bank,  as  though 
they  were  afraid  to  come.  They  were  as  naked  as  when 
born,  and  bore  with  them  presents — a  bag  of  pinions,  and 
salmon,-  just  caught  and  nicely  dressed.  Standing  in  a 
semi-circle  not  more  than  ten  feet  distant  from  me,  their 
orator  began  to  speak  and  explain  as  to  their  innocence ; 
and  probably  as  to  those  who  had  killed  the  animals.  Im- 
mediately one  of  the  party  (of  the  five  marauders)  said, 
"These  are.  the  damned  villains,  and  they  ought  to  be 
shot."  "Yes,"  said  Young.  No  sooner  said,  than  they 
seized  their  rifles  and  shot  down  those  five  innocent,  and 
to  all  appearances,  upright  and  manly  men,  and  perforated 


I- 
id 


110 

their  bodies  with  balls,  while  welteriiifif  in  thciv  blood.  1 
heard  but  u  single  groan.  Two  or  three  of  tlie  parly, 
mounlinnf  their  h()rs(;s,  hastened  to  murder  in  lik(^  manner 
the  other  two,  and  they  were  shot  while  lordini;  <lie 
streams. 

Now  my  eondnetor,  lookin<r  sharply  at  me,  said.  "Mr. 
Kclhiy,  what  do  you  think  of  ihi8?"  1  lelt  it  duty  to  pive 
an  evasive  answer:  "Wo  must  protect  ourselves  while  in 
the  wilderness  among' hostile  Indians."  DoublUss,  if  wy 
answer  had  not  been  in  tliis  way,  I  shouM  have  been  also 
shot.  I  would  not  indiseriminalely  iini)lieale  all  the  hunt- 
ing jmrties  in  the  Indian  slaughter,  in  the  years  above 
named.  I  have  niueh  reason  to  beli(!ve  that  the  Hudson 
Bay  Company's  party,  under  Ca[)t.  La  Flambois,  which  in 
that  wilderness  i)rovidentially  eame  lo  my  reliel,  was  kind 
and  humane  to  the  Indiana,  and  dealt  justly  with  them; 
and  for  aught  I  know,  it  mav  be  that  all  other  ol  the  Com- 
pany'd  parties  had  dealt  justly  and  mereitully  ^vith  them. 
In  regard  to  this  good  Samaritan,  and  his  humane  subor- 
dinate, Rondeau,  who  bore  me  lor  miles  upon  his  shoul- 
ders, when  unable  to  walk,  or  at  times  to  pass  rough 
places,  even  to  ride,  see  page  17,  this  1k»o;<, 


CHAP.  VHI. 

In  the  years  when  enlightening  my  countrymen  concern- 
ing my  plans  and  purposes  and  the  fields  of  my  labors, 
hundreds,  perhaps  thousands  believed  my  words  to  bo 
true,  else  why  should  men  whose  aim  and  end  in  life  is  to 
spread  useful  knowledge  and  to  glorify  God,  speak  as  they 
do  to  me  touching  the  settlement  of  Oregon.  If  settlement 
was  not  my  object,  why  should  individuals  and. companies, 
on  both  sides  of  the  Atlantic,  propose  to  accompany  me  to 
the  goodly  land.  Many  were  the  individuals  and  compa* 
nies  that  proposed  to  do  it.     The  following  letter  is  one  of 


E=: 


111 


the  luiiny  wlilcli  testify  as  to  the  sincerity  luid  truth  of  my 


Huymg's: 


"Dec.  25,  IH32. 
"Dear  Sir, — I  liiive  just  rccelvcil  yours  of  tiic  21st  inst., 
by  which  I  loarn  that  you  are  al)out  leavin;.f  this  country  on 
an  cx[>c(liti()ii  to  the  Oregon  Tcrrlfory.  Had  1  received 
this  letter  some  months  earlier,  1  should,  beyond  a  doubt, 
liave  made  arrangements  t(y  iiavc  joined  you  in  this  enter- 
prise. The  notice  is  so  short,  that  it  will  be  im])Ossible 
lor  me  to  dispose;  o{  ni}-  proj)erty." — "Though  I  am  com- 
pelled to  stay  behind,  my  heart  irot^s  with  you  in  your 
laudable  attempt  to  beneiit  maid\ind.  lOvery  philanthro- 
pist will  say,  (Jod  speed  you;  and  will  accompany  you 
with  his  prayers,  that  you  may  succeed  in  establishin<^  the 
blessings  ot  refined  society,  and  of  a  relio-ious  community 
beyond  the  Rocky  Mountains." — "Would  to  heaven,  I 
could  join  jou — :;•()  with  you,  and  drink  of  your  cup. 
May  God  in  hisintinito  goodness  j)ros2icr  you  in  this  noble 
undertaking.  ' 

"I  remain,  dear  sir,  your  obedient  servant, 

"J.  S.  LINN." 


n 

1 5' 


In  a  i)reviou8  letter  dated  March  4,  1832,  Mr.  Linn 
says:  "I  could  outrun  the  limits  ot  my  sheet  m  giving 
my  views,  but  I  must  come  back  to  the  expedition,  and 
state  what  I  sat  down  to  do  in  this  epistle,  to  wit :  that 
you  may  consider  me,  life  and  health  permitting,  an  en- 
rolled emigrant." 

I.  know  not  what  relation  J.  S.  T^inn  was  by  consan- 
guinity to  L.  F.  Linn,  the  late  Senator  in  Congress ;  but 
this  I  think  1  am  given  to  know,  that  by  the  S[)irit  of  God 
they  were  brothers  in  Christ — both  great  and  good  men, 
living  by  faith  in  Him." 

Mr.  D.  W.  Elmore,  a  student  in  the  Newton  Theolog- 
ical Institution,  writes : 


"NewtoxV,  Sept.  1,  1832. 
"Dear  Brother, — Your  answer  seems  to  decide  the 
question  that  Oregon  is  not  to  bo,  at  present,  the  scene  of 
my  earthly  toils ;  that  is,  I  am  fully  satisfied  that  it  is  not 
my  duty  to  leave  Nowton  this  fall.  The  instructions  I  am 
here  receiving  are  too  valuable  to  leave  unstored,  for  the 


112 


use  oi  tbo  people  whom  the  great  Head  of  the  Church  may 
commit  to  my  care ;  and  now  and  here,  I  enjoy  tb.o  very 
best  facilities  for  securing  them ;  and  hope  with  you  that 
the  Oregon  colony  will  be  supplied  Avlth  all  kinds  of  use- 
ful instruction  before  a  twelvemonth  shall  have  fulfilled  its 
course.  *  *  *  *  *  If  the  colony  should  succeed, 
Dr.  Bolles.  and  also  Prof.  Chase,  seem  to  think  it  will  be 
well  for  the  Board  to  sec  to  the  establishment  of  an  efficient 


ministry  there.     *     * 


But  if  it  should  so  bo  that 


a  year  hence  you  are  in  need  of  help  from  the  Bonrd,  tlicii 
I  should  be  satisfied  that  it  is  my  duty  to  go  there.  I 
should  have  the  advantage  of  the  patronage  of  the  Board, 
the  approbation  of  my  i^■ien(l^s,  those  Avho  have  the  man- 
agement of  our  religious  aO'aifs.     *     *     *     * 

"I  forgot  to  mention  ^aat  »vhen  the  countrj'^  is  laid  out 
into  diagrams,  of  a  township  each,  by  meridional  and  lon- 
gitudinal lines,  I  should  advise  that  roads  should  be  laid 
out  on  each  of  these  lines,  and  worked  as  the  necessities 
of  the  commimity  require.     *     *     »  •  « 

"  Your  fello  iv-servant  in  the  Gospel, 

"D.  W.  ELMORE." 

This  letter  was  about  the  time  of  the  embarkation  of  the 
missionaries  Lee  for  Oregon ;  and  is  for  the  purpose  of 
showing  in  regard  to  my  call  upon  religious  communities 
for  missionary  laborers. 

About  the  same  time,  two  other  persons  of  the  Method- 
ist community  oll'crcd  to  accompany  me,  as  \v<'ll  qualiiicd, 
doubtless,  by  "the  spirit  of  tnifh  that  leadcth  into  all 
tiuth,"  and  with  biblical  knowledge  for  the  ministry,  as 
were  the  Lees.  Their  names  have  pat-^ed  from  my  mind. 
They  afterwards  changed  their  purpose,  and  both  wort  as 
missionaries  to  Liberia. 

I  planned  largely — 'tlie  enterprise  was  stupcmdous,  and 
many  were  those  m  all  parts  of  the  Unicm,  and  in  some 
parts  '>{  Europe,  who  would  (nigage  in  it.  Companies 
were  formed,  in  dillerent  parts  of  tlie  States,  suid  many 
men  of  distinction  and  of  high  standing  in  society,  all  de- 
eiving  their  names  to  bo  enrolled  in  the  cxpeditum.  The 
Kon.  Samuel  Houston,  in  conversation  said :  "  I  hav:j  almost 
made  up  my  mind  to  go  with  you  to  Oregon,  and  engage  in  tho 
East  India   trade."     A  company   in   Faris   v.us   farmed,  and 


113 


another,  a  more  numerous  one,  in  Germany.  The  former 
corresponded  with  me  through  Mr.  Everett;  the  latter, 
through  a  German  gentleman  in  the  government  service  at 
Washington.  My  records  concerning  them  are  lost,  with 
the  files  of  letters  and  manuscripts  taken  from  my  house 
by  those  who  hate  and  trouble  me. 

The  enterprise  was  encouraged  by  the  Legislature  of 
Massachusetts ;  and  both  encouraged  and  patronized  by  the 
general  government  and  benevolent  institutions.  Gwei'n- 
ment  permission  was  granted  to  hold  correspondence  with 
government  authorities  of  Mexico,  and  I  accordingly  pre- 
pared a  letter  to  that  foreign  government,  asking  what 
seemed  to  me  necessary,  to  the  carrying  out  my  designs. 
Among  other  things,  I  solicited  the  privilege  to  enter  the 
port  of  Vera  Cruz  with  a  vessel ,  free  from  port  charges, 
to  land  my  eftects,  and  tranej>oit  thera  across  that  country, 
without  liability  of  any  kind  to  the  revenue  laws.  Mr. 
Montoya,  Charge  de  Affaires  of  the  Mexican  government 
at  Washing-ton,  was  consulted,  and  did  me  the  honor  to 
forwaixl  that  letter. 

In  New  York,  learning  that  a  veesel  was  about  to  sail 
fort':e  Sandwich  Islands,  I  applied  to  the  benevolent  owner 
for  a  lyassage  thither,  for  a  son  beionging  to  the  party.  A 
free  jjassage  was,  at  once,  generously  offered  him.  In  that 
city  I  obtained,  on  credit,  money  and  property ;  one  to 
meet  expenses  of  the  expedition,  the  other  for  Indian  pres- 
ents, and  for  domestic  uses  in  the  contemplated  settlement. 
The  American  Bible  Society  furnished  a  quantity  of  bibles ; 
tLe  Tract  Society  and  Sunday  School  Union  Society  fur- 
nished books  and  tracts  ;  and  benevolent  individuals,  va- 
rious other  articles ;  all  of  which  contributed  to  my  useful- 
ness, on  the  way  to  und  at  Oregon. 

Members  of  Congress  gave  me  stationery,  and  other 
presents.  The  Hon  E.  Everett,  chairman  of  the  Libi*ary 
Committee,  communicated  to  me  by  letter  that  the  com- 
mittee had  placed  at  my  disposal  a  set  of  the  laws  of  the 
United  States ;  and  Mr.  Archer,  chairman  of  Committee 
on  Foreign  Affairs,  was  iustructed  to  say,  that  protection 
would  be  given  to  any  settlement  which  I  might  make  in 
Oregon ;  and  a  passport  such  as  is  usually  given  to  minis- 
ters plonijjotentiary,  for  use  in  traveling  in  foreign  coun- 
tries, was  ordered  by  the  President,  and  endoreed  by  Mr. 
Montova  and  other  proper  Mexican  authorities,  both  at 
15 


lU 

New  Orleans  and  Vera  Cioiz.  Though  powerfully  oppugned, 
it  wm  not  a  little  encoui'aged  by  members  and  committees 
itf. Congress f  and  by  the  heads  ot  some  of  the  executive 
departments;  and  my  bands  were  strengthened  by  many 
true^earted  and  public-spirited  citizens. 

In  lectures,  newspaper  articles,  books  and  tracts,  and  in 
every  possible  way  I  labored  to  arouse  my  countrymen  to 
a  just  sense  of  the  wants  of  Oregon,  and  to  induce  a  settle- 
ment  of  that  goodly  land,  and  so  redeem  it  irom  the  moral 
and  physical  degradation  whiili  overshadowed  it.  In  con- 
£rmation  of  this,  I  will  introduce  the  publicly  expressed 
opinions  of  a  few  individuals,  out  of  the  many  who  have 
testified  and  can  testify  to  the  same  import. 


THE  AFFIDAVIT  OF  MR.  WHEILDON, 

Editor  of  that  loog-establisbed  paper,  the  Bunker  Hill  Aurora,  and 

Boston  Mirror. 

I,  William  W.  Wheildon,  of  Charlestown,  Massachu- 
setts, testify,  that  I  became  acquainted  with  Hr^i  J. 
Kelley,  Esq.,  sometime  in  tlie  yeju*  1827  or  1828,  ana  that 
he  was  at  that  time,  and  subsequently,  much  engaged  in 
talking,  writing,  and  ieciiuing  on  the  subject  ot  Oregon, 
and  a  settlement  of  that  Territory.  His  tinle,  as  it  ap- 
peared to  me,  was  all  devoted  to  the  object  of  dissemi- 
nating infonnation  on  the  subj  jct,  and  by  various  ways,  of 
endeavoring  to  effect  a  colonization  of  the  Territory.  He 
wrote  a  plan  of  colonization,  including  a  description  of  the 
country,  soil,  climate,  advantages  to  those  who  are  dis- 
posed to  emigi*ate,  &c.,  which  was  printed  for  him  in  my 
office.  I  knew  no  other  i^erson  connected  or  'nterested 
with  him,  and  the  work  was  done  for  bim  solely.  It  is 
my  opinion  that  he  labored  altogether  alone ;  and  to  him 
ia  due,  as  I  have  cause  to  believe,  the  merit  of  awakening, 
exciting  and  interesting  the  public  mind  on  this  subject, 
and  eflecting  a  settlement  of  the  Oregon  Teri'itory. 

WM.  w.  v;heiljl>o  c. 


Middlesex,  ss,  Jan.  2(5,  1843.  Personally  appeared 
the  above-named  William  W.  Wheildon,  and  made  eoleran 
oath  that  the  above  declaiation  hy  him  subscribed,  is  truck 
Before  rae,  .    IL  N.  Perkins,  J.  P.  [ 


HON.  JOHN  P.  BIGKLOW. 

BosTOW,  Januar3'  26,  1843. 
To  alt  wJiom  it  may  concern : 

I  hereby  certify,  that  I  am  well  acquainted  with  Mr. 
Hall  J.  Kelley,  and  that  I  was  associated  with  him  hi 
teaching  one  of  the  public  schools  of  this  city,  in  the  year 
1820.  He  had  then  conceived  the  project  of  colonizing 
the  Oregon  Territory.  It  was  a  subject  upon  which  he 
frequently  conversed  with  much  zeal  and  earnestness  of 
manner.  From  the  years  1828  to  1832,  he  aiipeared  to 
devote  his  whole  time  and  means  to  the  purpose  of  dissem- 
inivting  throughout  the  country,  information  conceniing 
that  region,  together  Avith  his  plan  for  its  colonization, 
avowing  it  to  be  his  dearest  Avish  to  improve  the  condition, 
moral,  religious  and  physical,  of  the  native  population  of 
the  Oregon  Territory,  and  to  secure  to  the  people  of  the 
United  States,  the  benefits  which  he  expected  would  result 
froii)  the  settlement  of  that  country.  In  fact,  Mr.  Kelley 
may  '  o  said,  with  tnith,  to  have  devoted  his  life,  health, 
and  I  c;h  rty,  for  more  than  twenty  years,  to  the  coloniza- 
tu  or  'Oregon.  He  has  sulfered  much,  very  much,  in, 
?t  v  i-isr-ect,  in  his*  endeavors  to  promote  this  object,  and 
it  f  'i^jil,  richly,  to  the  gratitude  of  his  country,  for  hia 
devoiw  y  f  ^  the  noble  cause. 

JOHN  P.  BIGELOW, 

Late  Secretary  of  Masaachugetts. 

Later  Mayor  of  Boston, 


SAMUEL  WALKER,  ESQ., 
Ai  Coun,  ellor  at  Law,  and  a  Gentleman  of  great  literary  attalBni«i.t3. 

T-  Samuel  Walker,  of  Cliarlestown,  in  the  State  of 
»r  "iichusetts,  aged  seventy-five  years,  do  on  oatli  testify 
and  say  tliat,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  eight 
hundred  and  twenty-three,  I  first  became  acquainted  with 
Mr.  Hall  J.  Kelley,  and  was  employed  as  his  assistant  in 
one  of  the  public  gmmmar  schools  in  Boston.  We  often 
had  conversation  concerning  the  Oregon  Territory.  He 
appeared  to  possess  a  more  accurate  knowledge  of  the 
Oi*egon  country  than  any  other  man  of  whom  I  had  i-ead 
or  heard.  He  expressed  to  me  his  opinion  that  the  great 
aatural  advantages  of  the  coimtry  for  commercial  and 


116 

agricultural  operations,  ought  not  longer  to  remain  unim- 
proved. '  He  declared  his  intention  to  colonize  it.  He 
was  then  engaged  in  this  work  with  uncommon  zeal  and 
persovemnce.  Thi  ^itoxmrise,  in  my  opinion,  was  philan- 
thi'opic,  as  he  seemeu  ilculate  more  on  its  beneficial 

results  to  tlie  country  i. ,  to  mankind,  than  to  himself; 
and  that  the  credit  ot  originating  the  colonizing  the  Ore- 
gon country,  is  undoubtedly  due  to  Mr.  Kelley. 

SAM.  WALKER. 

CGmmonwealih  of  Massachusetts. 

Middlesex,  aa,  Charlestown,  January  26,  1843.  Per- 
sonally appeared  the  above-named  Samuel  Walker,  and 
made  oath  that  the  above  declaration  by  him  subscribed, 
is  true.     B<ifore  me,  H.  N.  Perkins,  J.  P. 

I^or  aid  County. 


WASHINGTON  P.  GREGG,  ESQ., 
Secretary  to  the  Common  Couucil  of  the  City  of  Boston. 

I,  W.  p.  Gregg,  of  Boston,  do  hereby  testify,  that 
Mr.  Hall  J.  Kelley,  about  1829,  obtained  from  the  State 
of  Massachusetts,  the  enactment  of  a  law  incorpomting  a 
society  entitled  "  The  American  Society  for  the  Encour- 
ageiuent  of  the  Settlement  of  the  Oregon  Territory." 

Gen.  John  McNeil,  John  L.  Blake,  D.  D.,  and  myself, 
were  among  the  officers  chosen  at  its  organization.  Mr. 
Kelley  was  constituted  the  general  agent.  The  object  of 
this  Society  was  to  aid  Mi-.  K.  in  his  jiiaiseworthy  and 
patriotic  attempts  to  colonize  the  Oregon  Territory.  Pub- 
lic opinion  wai  turned  against  the  enteiprise,  ao  that  the 
Society  was  not  able  to  render  Mr.  K.  all  the  encourage- 
ment and  assistance  his  cause  seemed  to  deserve.  With 
a  view  of  dillusing  a  knowledge  of  the  Oregon  Territory 
and  of  his  enterprise,  he  sent  circulars  and  paiijphlets  into 
all  parts  of  the  Union,  and  obtained  the  names  of  a  great 
number  of  persons  who,  with  their  families,  approved  his 
plans,  and  projxjsed  to  go  with  him  in  an  expedition  under 
a  military  organization,  to  settle  on  the  banks  of  the  Co- 
lumbia river.  Nathaniel  Wyeth,  of  Cambridge,  and  Cap- 
tain Bonneville,  of  the  U.  S.  Anuy,  wore  both,  I  believe, 
enrolled  in  the  emigration  books,  and  were  both  to  have 
command  in  the  expedition.     The  contemplated  route  of 


117 

the  emigrants,  I  understood  to  be,  from  St.  Louis  to  the 
Platte,  and  thence  from  some  point  near  the  source  of  that 
river,  through  a  low  depression  in  the  Rocky  Mountains. 
.  Ml'.  Kelley  often  stated  to  the  Society,  that  individuals 
nad  associations,  whose  trading  interests  on  the  coast  and 
in  the  interior  of  the  Oregon,  were  in  conflict  with  the 
ultimate  objects  of  his  enterprise,  were  not  only  unfriendly 
to  his  plans,  but  that  they  had  enlisted  on  their  side  ^ome 
of  the  most  influential  public  journals. 

These  newspapers  and  periodicals,  represented  his  plans 
as  being  injudicious  and  impracticable,  and  his  accounts  of 
Oregon  fallacious.  Public  obloquy  was  cast  upon  him 
from  all  sides.  His  friend?  ^eft  him,  and  the  expedition 
was  broken  up.  W.  P.  GREGG. 

Suffolk,  ss.  Boston,  January  31,  1843.  Then  the 
above-named  "Washington  P.  Gregg,  personally  appeared 
and  made  oath  that  the  above  by  him  subscribed  in  my 
presence  is,  to  his  best  knowledge  and  belief,  true.    Beforid 

WM.  TUFTS,  J.  P. 


'ap- 

;ve, 

tave 

of 


Boston,  Dec.  23,  1847. 
Wc,  the  subscribers,  have  for  many  years,  known  Hall 
J.  Kelley,  Esq.,  and  have  been  familiar  with  his  ardent 
efforts  and  generous  devotion  of  his  time,  his  talents,  and 
his  property,  to  direct  the  public  attention  and  the  tide  of 
emigration  towards  the  Oregon  Territory.  He  was  the 
first  pioneer  in  this  matte)*,  and  for  a  long  series  of  years, 
Ijcrsevering  "through  evil  report  and  good  report,"  suc- 
ceeded at  last,  although  at  the  sacrifice  of* his  own  foi'tune 
and  health,  in  rescuing  the  Oregon  from  the  sole  occuijancy 
of  hunters  and  trappers,  and  bringing  to  it,  the  benefit  of 
regular  colonization. 

Ho  has  petitioned  Congress  for  the  gmnt  of  a  tract  of 
land  in  that  region,  and  we  respectfully  pray  that  Congress 
will  give  to  that  petition  an  early,  a  favorable  and  gene- 
rous answer. 

J.  McNeil,  SuiTcyor  of  the  Port. 

JOSEPH  IL\.LL,  Navy  Agent. 

W.  P.  GREGG,  Clerk  of  City  Council. 

ISAAC  O.  BARNES,  U.  S;  Maishal. 

P.  P.  F.  DEGRAND. 


m 

Gen.  McNeil  is  Surveyor  of  the  Port  Customs,  Boistoit, 
and  was  President  of  the  American  Society  for  Encoui^- 
aging  the  Colonization  of  tlie  Oregon  Teiritory. 

P.  P.  F.  Degmnd,  Esq.,  a  gentleman  of  science  and 
public  enterprise. 

PETITION  OF  THE  CITIZENS  OF  BOSTON. 

To  the  Hon.  the  Senate  of  the  U.  S.: 

The  subscribers,  citizens  of  Boston,  believing  tliat  Mr. 
Hall  J.  Kelley  has  expended  a  large  amount  ot  both  time 
and  money,  and  greatly  injm'ed  his  health,  in  eHbi-ts  to 
establish  settlements  in  the  Oregon  Territory,  feel  a  strong 
desire  that  his  labors  and  saci'itices  may  be  in  some  way 
rewarded  ;  and  having  learned  that  he  has  petitioned  Con- 
gress for  a  grant  of  land  in  that  Territory,  they  respectfully 
and  earnestly  pray  that  his  petition  may  be  favorably  received 
and  the  prayer  thereof  granted. 

Among  the  signatures  to'  this  petition  were  the  names  of  T. 
H.  Perkins  and  George  Bancroft. 

There  were  many  signers  to  this  petition,  but  few  of  their 
names  are  recollected. 


Indeed,  much  credit  is  due  me  for  exploratiom.  I  explored 
p<M*tion8  of  the  countries  through  which  I  passed  on  my  way  to 
and  from  Oregon,  particularly  the  two  Cahfomias  and  Oregon, 
and  delineated  a  map  of  the  same,  as  baa  already  been  stated. 
See  memoir  to  Congress,  January,  1839 — House  of  Reps.,  Doo. 
No.  101.  I  found  gold,  silver  and  copper,  and  other  of  the 
precious  metals,  in  Lower  California,  and  believed  they  could  be 
found  in  abundance  in  both  the  Califomias  and  Oregon.  They 
had  been  thrown,  according  to  my  theory,  from  the  bowels  of  the 
earth  through  the  cones — volcanic  chimneys  as  they  are  called — 
which  surmount  the  Sierra  Nevada,  and  other  mountains  of 
those  countries.  More  correctly  it  may  be  said,  at  the  time  of 
that  terrible  catastrophe,  when  tL'^se  cones  were  formed,  when 
the  surface  of  the  earth  was  everywhere  blistering  and  bursting, 
and  when,  by  the  mighty  expansive  power  of  steam,  the  whole 
surface  of  the  globe  was  broken  up,  the  hills  and  mountains  piled 
up  and  the  plains  spread  out,  the  mineral  deposits,  as  I  think,  in 
the  strata  composing  the  crust  of  the  earth,  accordmg  to  their 
respective  specific  gravities,  "  the  greater  the  gravity  the  lower 
down/'  were  thrown  up  and  were  diffused  about  the  ground  in 


w 

the  vicinity  of  the'  cone.  I  found  gold  and  copper  in  Lower 
California,  and  believed  these  and  other  precious  metals  were  to 
be  found  in  Upper  California  :  that  they  had  been  thrown  from 
the  bowels  of  the  earth  through  the  volcanic  crater.  I  brought 
home  specimens  of  them.  Also  did  I  discover  the  oil  of  petro- 
leum near  Santa  Barbara,  and  there,  and  in  other  parts  of  the 
country,  asphaltum  and  bitumen.     [See  App.  W.] 

I  also,  cursorily,  explored  some  of  the  Sandwich  Islands,  par- 
ticularly Owyhee,  of  which  I  constructed  a  map.  My  kind  and 
noble-hearted  countryman,  Henry  A.  Pierce,  Esq.,  resident  at 
Honolulu  and  largely  engaged  in  the  commerce  of  the  Pacific, 
furnished  me  with  facilities  and  all  necessary  i  cans  of  making 
my  examination  of  them.  Mr.  Pierce  was  not  the  only  coun- 
tryman to  whom  I  am  much  indebted  for  favors  and  kind  atten- 
tions while  on  my  way  to  and  from  the  American  shores  of  the 
Pacific.  My  card  in  reference  to  them  will  be  found  in  the 
Appendix  of  this  book. 

During  the  sea  voyage  of  six  months  on  board  the  ship  Can- 
ton Packet,  every  fair  day  and  moonlight  night,  my  attention 
waa  turned  to  explorations  of  the  starry  heavens,  and  the  ab- 
struse regions  of  science  ;  and  all  the  while  continued  to  study 
the  book  of  nature,  and  that  interesting  little  book  ever  in  my 
hand,  open  and  read  with  intense  desire  to  know  God  and  His 
handiworks. 

Further  in  regard  to  settlement  and  explorations.  The  Pres- 
ident of  the  New  York  Central  College,  on  the  receipt  of  a 
package  of  books  and  documents,  and  in  view  of  the  wrong  per- 
ceptions of  deceived  and  prejudiced  public  men,  and  of  the 
wrongs  and  cruelties  everywhere  practiced  upon  me,  wrote  me 
the  following  consolmg  and  comforting  letters : 


New  York  Central  College, 
McGrawville,  Cort.  Co.,  N.  Y.,  Feb.  12, 1866. 
Hall  J.  Kelley,  Esq.  : 

Very  highly  esteemed  and  dear  Sir, — I  have  read  your  pam- 
phlets with  great  interest,  and  thank  you  for  them.  If  you 
shall  forward  more,  they  will  increase  my  thanks.  Every  in- 
genuous mind  in  America,  while  informed  of  the  facte  in  your 
history,  will  accord  to  you  the  great  honor  of  having  hastened 
the  settlement  of  Oregon  several  years,  and  of  having  aided  in 
securing  that  territory  to  our  country.  Moreover,  we  have  to 
thank  you  for  having  asserted  the  right  of  the  red  man  to  be 
dealt  with  as  a  man,  in  worthy  opposition  to  the  injustice,  mean- 
t9as  and  cruelty  of  those  who  had  preceded  you  to  the  shores  of 


120 


the  Pacific.  The  proof  is  too  strong  for  doubt,  that  the  Hudson 
Bay  Company  did  all  in  their  power  to  enrich  themselves  out  of 
the  Aborigines,  and  to  secure  that  vast  country  to  the  govern- 
ment of  Great  Britain ;  and  to  do  these  things,  they  did  not 
scruple  to  blast  the  reputation  of  any  one  who  presumed  to  coun- 
teract their  endeavors.  That  corporations  are  soulless,  has 
never  been  more  emphatically  demonstrated  than  by  the  trans- 
actions of  that  Company  and  the  East  India  Company,  the  offi- 
cers and  agents  of  which  were  long  applauded  by  the  stock- 
holders and  others  enriched  by  them  in  dishonest  traffic  and 
bloody  robberies.  Shrewd  and  successful  mendacity  became  an 
illustrious  virtue,  and  defamation  of  the  best  of  men  was  only 
one  necessary  form  of  falsification. 

After  Great  Britain  had  received  into  her  lap  hundreds  of 
millions  sterling,  through  the  flagitious  agency  of  such  Gover- 
nors as  Lord  Clive  and  Warren  Hastings,  their  names  grew  so 
offensive'  in  the  nostrils  of  the  world,  that  the  abatement  of  the 
nuisance  became  a  necessity,  and  the  East  India  Company  was 
deprived  of  its  charter.  The  Hudson  Bay  Company's  transac- 
tions have  been  less  notorious,  because  their  victims  were  no 
other  than  the  reputed  "  savage,"  in  whose  extermination  nearly 
the  entire  world  of  white  men  acquiesce  without  any  conscien- 
tious convictions  of  rapine  and  murder.  In  this,  Americans  are 
more  guilty  than  oven  the  British,  and  Hall  J.  Kelley  acted  the 
part  of  a  just  man  and  a  christian,  in  his  attempt  to  protect  those 
who  had  fallen  among  thieves,  from  further  outrages.  That  for 
so  praiseworthy  conduct  he  incurred  the  malicious  vepgeance  of 
the  guilty  is  not  surprising,  but  evinces  the  verity  of  His  decla- 
ration, whose  wrath  is  burning  upon  the  perpetrators  of  oppres- 
sion— "  Blessed  are  ye  when  men  shall  say  all  manner  of  evil 
against  you  falsely  for  my  sake."  When,  after  my  return  from 
Europe,  I  found  and  read  the  letter  of  I.  Harrington,  Esq., 
written  three  years  ago,  about  your  deed  of  land  to  us,  the  sight 
of  your  name  reminded  me  pleasurably  of  your  person,  and  the 
interview  with  which  you  favored  me  about  the  year  1828  or  '29, 
in  Boston,  I  being  at  "  that  time  pastor  of  the  First  Baptist 
Church "  there.  I  well  remember  the  deep  interest  you  ex- 
pressed in  a  colonizing  of  Oregon,  then  an  almost  unknown 
region.  I  remember  too,  that,  by  reason  of  your  great  advance 
of  all  others  in  a  knowledge  of  that  country,  your  scheme  was 
generally  regarded  as  visionary,  just  as  it  always  happens  in 
like  cases.  Dullards,  while  too  ignorant  to  judge  and  too  indo 
lent  to  inform  themselves,  or  too  conceited  to  admit  knowledge 
when  knocking  at  their  doors,  are  always  siiffioiently  aroused 


121 

and  quickened  by  the  well-grounded  zeal  of  the  knowing,  to 
dream  that  what  they  hear  is  delusive,  and  so  they  laugh  at  the 
novel  scheme,  until,  by  the  laudable  perseverance  of  its  enlight- 
ened originator,  it  is  proved  to  be  sound  and  profitable.  Then, 
if  possible,  they  will  thrust  in  their  sickle  where  they  never 
sowed,  but  trample  on  the  seed  sown  by  others.  I  believe  you 
have  been  grossly  misrepresented  and  egregiously  wronged. 

It  gratified  me  much  to  read  your  words  that  "  those  things 
have  ceased  to  trouble  "  you.  Permit  your  friend,  therefore,  to 
hope  that  you  will  not  condescend  to  honor  them  by  any  other 
notice  than  to  point  them  to  the  results  of  your  early  and  meri- 
torious eflForts.  Your  strong  and  vigorous  spirit  has  broken  the 
green  withes  and  is  frve.  Instead  of  pondering  gloomily  on  tiie 
misdeeds  of  the  ignorant  and  selfish  assailants  of  your  fur 
fame,  will  you  not  think  much  and  pleasurably  of  the  success  of 
your  self-denying  labors,  and  of  the  benefits  reaped  by  your 
country  ?  I  cannot  doubt  that  if  a,  knowledge  of  the  simple 
facts  of  your  case  were  now  to  be  communicated  to  our  Con- 
gress by  your  yet  vigorous  pen,  and  seconded  by  only  a  few  of 
your  long-tried,  faithful  friends,  with  that  enlightened  legislature, 
the  appeal  would  not  be  fruitless. 

I  trust  that  your  reflections  on  the  part  you  have  acted  in  the 
settlement  of  the  western  portion  of  the  continent  are  a  source  of 

{)lea8ure  to  you,  and  will  continue  to  be  the  remainder  of  your 
ife.  It  is  gratifying  to  me  that  you  are  disposed  to  take  the 
"  lead  "  in  making  application  to  Congress  for  a  reviewal  and 
admission  of  your  claim,  and  that  of  ourselves  and  others  inter- 
ested.     •  ♦  *  •  •  ♦ 

God  grant  you  health  and  abundant  vigor  and  joy. 
Ever  yours  with  great  respect,  faithfully, 

CYRUS  P.  GROSVENOR, 

President  N.  Y.  Central  College. 


AN  EXTBACT  FROM  A  SUBSEQUENT  LETTER. 

Feb.  28th,  1866. 
Hall  J.  Kellby,  Esq.: 

My  Dear  Sir : —  Your  letter  of  the  24th  inst.,  desiring  to  re- 
ceive an  acknowledgment  of  the  documents  forwarded  by  you, 
I  have  carefully  examined  them,  and  find  a  large  amount  of 
interesting  matter.  The  labor  bestowed  by  you  in  preparing  the 
''  Geographical  Sketch  "  was  very  great,  and  ou^t  maniMStly 
to  hare  been  rewarded  amply  by  Congresss,  in  response  to  your 
16 


^rmm 


^mm 


122 

memorial.  No  one  can  read  the  slietch  and  compare 
"  your  map  "  with  maps  of  more  recent  date  without  be- 
ing surprised  at  your  successful  investigations  into  that 
vast  and,  at  that  time,  almost  unknown  countiy.  Your 
estimation  of  its  value  to  the  United  States,  and  your  ^ro- 
phecies  of  what  has  already  been  proved  of  its  impoi-tance, 
evince  a  wonderful  scope  of  intellectual  ability ;  and  the 
moral  sentiments  you  inculcated  resi^ecting  the  character 
which  ought  to  characterize  the  colonists,  and  towaids  the 
Aborigines,  do  you  the  highest  honor.  However  painful 
and  injui'ious  to  you  li>is  been  the  ingratitude  you  have  ex- 
perienced, one  thing  is  certain,  the  name  of  Hall  t^,  Kelley 
will  be  honored  in  histoiy,  and  his  calumniators  v^^^ill  be 
unequivocally  condemned.  God  is  your  poilion,  infamy 
is  theirs.    Rest  assured  of  this. 

A-  memorial  to  Congress  on  yom*  behalf  ought,  without 
further  delay,  to  be  prepared,  and  ought  to  bear  the  signa- 
tures of  thousands,  especially  of  the  citizens  of  New  Eng- 
land —  Massachusetts  in  paiticular.  As  a  native  of  that 
State,  I  would  esteem  myself  honored  in  placing  my  hum- 
ble name  with  others  beneath  such  memorial,  whatever 
may  be  the  fate  of  your  claim  to  the  lands  made  yours  by 
the  deed  of  the  heii-s  of  Kendrick. 

Yours,  respectfully,  &c., 

C.  P.  GROSVENOR. 


I  will  return  to  the  expedition.  I  had  secured  the 
pledge  from  wealthy  and  lienevolent  citizens  for  funds  suf- 
ficient for  the  accomplishment  of  the  undei-taking,  and  five 
hundred  or  more  persons  from  all  parts  of  the  Union  were 
soon  to  rendezvous  at  St.  Louis,  and  I  thought  I  was  about 
to  achieve  the  great  objects  for  which  I  had  so  long  and  un- 
ceasingly labored.  It  is  true,  I  had  been  opposed  from 
the  beginning  by  powerful  and  interested  individuals ;  but 
now,  that  my  designs  ajjpeared  on  the  very  point  of  com- 
pletion, opposition  became  more  desperate  and  determined. 

No  effoi-ts  were  spared  to  disable  me  for  further  pro- 
gress, and  to  discourage  and  break  up  the  expedition.  This 
they  accomplished  to  their  satisfaction,  and  nigh  over- 
whelmed me,  also. 

The  enterprise  contemplated  great  blessings  to  mankind 
— ^blessings  which  are  beginning  to  be  realized' half  the 
woild  over.     Unopposed,  I  should,  doubtless,  crossed  the 


mm 


188 

Rocky  Mountains  aa  early  us  '32,  with,  perhaps,  2000  emi- 
gmntH  j^itherod  from  all  parts  of  civilization,  and  with 
everything?  necessary  for  putting  at  once  into  successful 
operation  the  various  ])usine8s  of  enlightened  and  refined 
life,  and  for  hastening  the  spread  of  tlie  knowledge  of  the 
glory  of  God ;  and  as  early  as  '35  the  tide  of  emigration 
would  have  began  to  How  down  into  the  valley  of  the  Sac- 
ramento, and  the  acquisition  of  Upper  California  to  the 
American  domain  would  have  followed  in  the  natural  order 
of  things,  without  the  expense  of  a  di*op  of  blood  or  a 
dollar  of  money.  Unopposed,  the  ratlroad  projected  by 
me,  neai'ly  fifty  years  ago,  to  oommuT:icate  between  the 
valley  of  the  Mississippi  aud  the  shore  of  the  Pacific, 
(reference  to  that  project  is  made  in  my  Geographical 
Sketch  of  Oi'egon,  and  in  the  memoir  to  Congress  in 
1839,  relative  to  the  statistics  and  topography  of  that 
countiy,  the  same  in  plan  &h  that  urged  by  Mr.  Whitney, 
of  New  York,  in  1840,  ujion  the  consideration  of  Con- 
gress,) would,  I  think,  have  been  graded  from  one  end  to 
the  other,  and  Oregon  would  have  teemed  with  a  popula- 
tion from  our  own  blest  country,  and  the  whole  wilderness 
between  the  parallels  31  and  54,  dark  as  it  was,  ere  this 
day,  would  have  been  changed  to  shining  fields  and  flowery 
gardens;  and  society  there  would  have  been  drasscd  in 
lovely  attire,  and  robed  in  charms  of  moral  beauty< 

Things  would  have  been  in  that  country  more  than 
twenty  ^ears  in  advance  of  what  they  now  are,  and  Quad- 
ra's Island  would  have  continued  to  be  an  integral  part  of 
the  Americ»n  domain,  and  greater  would  have  been  the 
triumph  of  Christianity. 

Had  my  plans  been  unopposed,  and  carried  out  under 
government  auspices,  that  territory,  very  soon  after  the 
settlement  of  the  Oregon  question  with  Great  Britain, 
would  have  been  States  of  high  rank  in  the  Union,  and  tiie 
pride  of  the  Nation. 

I  do  most  deeply  regret  the  sucess  of  the  opposers  of  my 
efforts  in  behalf  of  my  country  and  humanity.  I  am  no 
prophet,  but  can  see,  I  think,  indications  in  the  movement 
of  Divine  Providence,  for  the  prosperity  and  greatness  of 
California  and  Oregon.  A  mild  and  salubrious  climate,- 
exuberant  productions,  and  natural  advantages  for  trade 
and  commerce,  conspire  to  make  those  countries  prosperous 
and  gi'eat.    I  am  led  to  believe  that  Christianity  is  about  to 


do  wonderful  things  for  our  nice,  such  as  it  has  not  entered 
the  hearts  of  infidels  to  conceive  of — that  tlio  li^ht  of  tioith 
is  about  to  increase  to  a  glorious  effulgence.  That  the  hea- 
then, all  nations,  tongues  and  tribes  of  them,  are  soon  to 
become  "the  inheritance  of  Christ,"  and  "the  uttonnost 
parts  of  the  earth  His  possession,"  and  the  "will  of  God 
be  done  on  eailli  as  it  is  done  in  Heaven,"  and  the  seventh 
day,  the  day  of  rest,  to  come,  and  the  whole  eailh  to  be 
filled  with  a  knowledge  of  God,  and  all  nations  to  bo  free 
and  happy. 

I  was  brought  into  life,  raised  up,  and  divinely  appointed 
to  do  the  very  things  I  conceived  and  did  for  Oregon.  In 
the  year  1817  "  the  word  came  expressly  to  mo  "  to  go  and 
labor  in  fields  of  philanthropic  enterprise,  and  promote  the 
propagation  of  Christiar»ty  in  the  dark  and  cruel  places 
about  the  shores  of  the  Pacific.  "I  speak  the  truth  in 
Christ  Jesus,  and  lie  not."  In  my  youth  the  Lord  Jesus 
revealed  to  me  in  visions  the  lonely,  laborious  and  event- 
ful life  I  was  to  live  ;  and  gave  at  the  time  of  the  visions, 
and  afterwards,  unmistakable  signs  that  the  revelations 
were  by  Him,  and  I  have  lived  exactly  that  manner  of  life. 
[See  App.  W.] 

I  had  pui'posed  to  introduce  here  a  chapter  under  the 
head  of  Things  ProviderUial,  but  being  in  haste  to  get  the 
book  in  the  hands  of  my  friends  in  Congress,  I  must  refer 
the  entire  subject  to  tho  appendix.     [App.  X.] 

Some  of  my  skeptioal  friends,  who  never  examined  my 
works,  nor  the  "fruit  of  the  Spirit,"  say  to  me,  "you  talk 
too  much  in  your  book  about  religion.  You  will  expose 
yourself  to  public  ridicule."  My  reply  to  them  is.  You 
think  too  little  about  religion.  "  I  am  not  ashamed  to  own 
my  Lord."  "I  gloiy  in  this,  that  I  know  God,"  and  "know 
Christ  Jesus  and  Him  crucified ;"  and  am  a  "servant  of 
Christ  according  to  the  will  of  God." 

While  yet  in  Oregon,  about  the  time  of  embarkation  for 
home,  I  planned  to  retura  to  that  country,  and  form  a  set- 
tlement at  New  Dergeness.  This  place  is  on  the  south 
side  of  Do  Fuca's  Sea,  and  on  the  westerly  side  of  Port 
Discoveiy.  It  is  admirably  situated,  and  in  every  way 
convenient  for  whale  fishery,  or  of  fi^ihing  craft  of  any 
kind.  Any  such  vessels  from  the  sea  can,  in  any  season  of 
the  year,  safely  enter  the  harbor,  and  can  here  I'epair  and 
find  supplies  of  provisions  and  other  outfits. 


mm 


'*?»','/ 1 


126 


Port  Discovery  is  situated  near  the  northwesterly  en- 
trance ot  Admiralty  Inlet,  48,  7,  N. ;  a  name  derived 
from  the  ship  Discovery,  commanded  by  Vancouver,  "who 
first  discovered  it.  It  is  a  fine  and  commodious  harbor, 
about  eight  miles  in  extent,  aHbi*ding  from  ten  to  filty 
fathom  soundings,  and  a  muddy  bottom.  Tlie  entrance  is 
formed  by  two  capes,  which  are  low,  and  opposite  each 
other,  extending  in  gentle  descent  from  high  wo<  'land 
cliffs,  leaving  an  oi^ening  of  two  and  a  half  miles,  directly 
in  front  of  which  is  an  island,  in  the  foiin  of  a  crescent, 
presenting  its  concave  side  to  the  harbor.  It  is  called  Pro- 
tection, from  its  convenient  location  for  giving  protection 
to  the  harbor.  It  is  the  conviction  of  all  who  have  wit- 
nessed its  natui'al  advantages  for  commerce,  that  the  larg- 
est ship,  whatever  bo  its  tonnage,  can  sail  through  De 
Fuca's  Sfraits,  enter  Pott  Discovery,  and  there  moor,  and 
find  safety  and  comfort  from  the  violence  of  winds  and 
waves.  I  have  given  these  full  descriptions  to  show  the 
judicious  choice  I  had  made  of  a  position  for  the  settle- 
ment. 

Soon  after  my  return  to  New  England,  I  announced  to 
the  public,  through  the  medium  of  newspapers,  my  pur- 
pose and  programme  ;  and  many  enterprising  and  intelli- 
gent men  of  New  England,  some  with  families,  a  sufDcient 
number  for  a  settlement,  enlisted  for  the  expedition.  But 
the  war  of  persecution  continuing  to  rage,  and  the  troops 
about  me  making  daily  attacks,  and  the  hireling  press 
again  being  tunied  against  me,  I  was  forced  to  abandon 
that  enterprise.  It  was  my  intention  to  take  my  family  to 
the  place  of  settlement,  and  to  be  myself  a  settler,  believ- 
ing that  should  my  abode  be  on  that  side  of  the  continent, 
far  away  from  persecuting  enemies  on  this  side,  I  could 
better,  I  supposed,  promote  the  extension  of  the  Redeem- 
er's Kingdom.  But  I  am  now  satisfied  that  it  was  oiHiered 
in  Divine  Providence,  and  for  my  good,  that  that  settle- 
ment should  not  bo  made  by  me ;  that,  although  the  ideal 
"  Puget's  Sound  Agricultural  Association  "  could  do  no- 
thing, yet  the  Hudson  Bay  Company  could  do  much  to 
break  up  the  establishment,  and  drive  me  and  my  friends 
from  the  coast. 

In  regai-d  to  the  position  I  had  chosen  ior  the  settlement 
and  what  Avould  be  the  developments  of  commerce  at  that 
place,  Mr.  Pieroe,  of  whom  I  have  already  spoken,  m 


TW^B» 


12(5 

reply  to  inqairies  I  had  made,  wiites  at  Honolulu,  under 
date  August  4,  1835  : 

Hall  J.  Kellev,  Esq.  : 

Dear  Sir: — Having  undoratood  from  yourselt  that  you 
contemplated  torming  a  settlement  at  Juan  de  Fuca  Straits, 
I  have,  in  consequence,  and  for  the  information  ot  those 
who  may  be  concenied  with  you  in  such  an  enterprise, 
thought  it  well  to  stat,e  what  the  market  value  is  hero  tor 
those  articles  which  will  probably  be  exported  Irom  yom* 
establi&Iiment : 

30,000  feet  pine,  lur  or  spruce  boards  and  planks,  at  $40 
per  1000 ;  200  ban-els  salmon,  at  $10  ;  200  barrels  flour, 
at  8  a  $10 ;  to  which  may  be  added  house  irames,  spars 
and  oak  plank  and  logs  for  repairing  ships.  One  thousand 
barrels  of  flour  can  be  sold  every  year  at  St.  Peter  and 
Paul,  in  Kamschatka,  at $10  |)er  barrel. 

If  a  settlement  can  bo  formed  to  good  advantage  any- 
where upon  this  side  of  the  American  ten'itory,  it  is  at 
the  place  you  have  chosen  on  the  south  side  of  Juan  de 
Fuca  Straits;  it  is  in  many  respects  the  most  eligible — 
good  harbors,  easy  of  access  and  egress  at  any  time  of  the 
year,  good  climate,  excellent  soil,  plenty  of  timber,  fish 
and  g?.me^  and  a  region  abounding  with  fur  animals. 

I  think  favorably  of  your  plan,  and  shall  bo  glad  to  fa- 
cilitate in  any  wa;^'  which  will  be  most  conducive  to  the 
prosperity  and  success  of  the  settlement. 
Very  truly  yours, 

HENRY  A.  PIERCE. 


To  bring  me  into  the  lowest  possible  disrepute,  and  un- 
der universal  contempt,  and  to  break  up  this  exi)edition, 
also,  the  following  abusive  notice  was  taken  of  me  and 
my  enterprise  by  the  publishers  of  the  "Old  American 
Comic  Almanac  of  1837."  In  one  of  its  queer  cuts  was  a 
geographical  caricature  of  a  poi-tiou  of  Oregon.  On  the 
banks  of  the  Columbia  was  written  '*  Mowed  ujp  Salt 
River y"  and  on  the  countiy  noT.th,  betwce.;  the  cowlitz  and 
the  ocean,  ^^Eelley's  Folly. ^*  Twenty  thousand  copies 
were  said  to  have  been  sold. 

To  apprise  my  cruel  enemies  that  I  was  yet  alive,  and 
had  yet  some  power  left  to  defend  my  bleeding  character, 
I  published  the  following  in  the  Boston  Post : 


■^. 


m 


aWfirfai 


127 

UNPROVOKED  CRUELTY, 

The  country  with  ivhich  my  name  has  been  so  many 
years  associated  is  represented  on  the  cat;  as  above,  "Kel- 
ley's  Folly." 

It  is  receiving  all  the  publicity  which  newapapcu's,  and 
twenty  or  a  hundred  Inousand  almanacs  can  give  it.  Now 
I  am  not  pleased  with  being  hung  up  to  public  ridicule — 
with  having  my  character  defamed,  in  song,  c  story,  or 
pictm*e.  I  have  done  many  things  in  the  Oregon  country, 
whereof  I  am  not  ashamed.  Though  I  have  acted  an  im- 
portant part,  and  a  difficult  one  too,  in  its  colonization,  yet 
there  is  no  reason  fo:  supposing  it  the  theatie  of  my  folly, 
or  for  making  an  attack  so  brutal  upon  my  reputation. 
The  benevolent  and  magnificent  things  wliich  my  una'aed 
eflbrts  had  brought  about,  could  not  have  induced  It — cer- 


tainly not.  Thoy  cuulu  harm  no  cv'^,  ^a.7o  tne  evil-doers 
living  to  harm  eveiy  one.  My  having  thrown  down  the 
high  walls  which  the  K.  B.  Co.  had  built,  and  for  nearly 
forty  years  had  maintained  about  the  land  of  Oregon  ;  or, 
of  my  having  opened,  in  despite  of  the  mightiest  efforts  of 
the  most  powerful  of  worldly  wise  men,  that  finest  portion 
of  our  continent,  to  tbd  harbingers  of  the  blessings  of  Chris- 
tianity, are  benefite.  m  every  bod3^ 

I  had  fallen  into  the  hands  of  bloody  men,  and  was  half 
killed  by  them ;  so  that  since  my  return,  I  have  b^^u  una- 
ble to  give  the  ]}ublic  any  account  of  my  perilous  adven- 
tures ;  or  of  my  services  and  achievements  in  bet  alf  of  the 
country ;  or  of  the  glorious  things  beginning  to  result  to 
the  world  from  the  entet'pnse  so  generally  opposed.  Ene- 
mies seeing  this,  and  other  dire  misfortunes,  take  advan- 
tage— take  coui-age,  and  wreak  their  ruthless  vengeance 
upon  me.  They  seem  to  infer  from  my  past  forbearance, 
ftilence,  and  the  terrible  results  of  sufferings,  that  I  am  a 
dead  man,  or  nearly  so ;  and  am  unable  to  speak  in  my 
defence ;  but  I  am  a/e've,  and  can  speak,  and,  though  fee' 
bly,  defend  my  person;  and,  with  my  own,  defend  the 
injured  rights  of  my  countrymen.  It  may  7/et  be,  that  I 
can  speak  louder  —  yet,  in  tones  of  thunder. 

Great  difficulties  were  anticipated  in  the  settling  of 
Oregon :  greater  on  this  than  on  the  other  side  of  the 
continent;  opposers  started  up  in  the  beginning;  they 
increased  daily ;  and,  at  length,  strangers  and  acquaint- 
ances, deceived  and  duped,  united  in  making  common  the 


^ 


128 

"work  ot  persecuting  him  who  had  dared  to  break  up  tbo 
JET.  £.  Gon^ny^s  trading  and  trajyping  monopolies  in 
Oregon. 

Here  is  the  end  ot  the  book  lor  the  present.  When 
it  is  in  the  hands  ot  the  Congressional  Committee,  to  whom 
was  referred  the 'X'^titlon,  should  my  life  be  spared,  and 
should  I  remain  qualified  tor  the  task  of  fuither  dictation, 
I  shall  proceed  to  prepare  the  appendix,  which,  I  think,  is 
calculated  to  be  as  instructive  and  interesting  to  readers  as 
the  other  poitiou  of  the  book. 


■^'"^'PWffMpip? 


eak  up  tbo 
lopoliea  in 


ttt.  When 
e,  to  whom 
pared,  and 
r  dictation, 
I  think,  is 
leaders  as 


m 


